COPYCAT PARADISE BAKERY SUGAR COOKIES

 

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla extract*

1 egg, beaten

3 1/3 cups cake flour*

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Sugar for decorating

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, mix together the sugars and shortening using an electric mixer. Mix on slow speed for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula. Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes. Slowly add vanilla extract and egg while mixing.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl, mixing on slow speed until just blended. Do not overmix.

Dough may be rolled out on lightly floured board and cut with cookie cutters or scooped with an ice cream scoop and placed directly on cookie sheet. If scooped, flatten with palm of hand.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 9 to 11 minutes. Cookies are done when edges are slightly brown.

Makes 3 dozen cookies

*For every cup of cake flour called for in a recipe, measure one cup of all-purpose flour, remove 2 tablespoons of the flour and then add the flour to a mixing bowl. Add in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk well to combine. 

Nancy is visiting Mey and Richard. She drove down yesterday and before she got to the house I made the cookies. I wanted them to have something sweet after the long drive. Richard is finally getting out of the hospital tomorrow and she wants to make sure he has everything that is needed for his full recovery. Her son will be traveling with her and he loves sugar cookies.   

* The original recipe called for 3/4 tsp of vanilla. I bumped it up a bit. The flour was also 4 1/3 cups and after reading over 40 reviews I cut it to 3 1/3 . Most reviews mentioned the recipe worked great with Swans cake flour which I did not have. I used regular flour with the cornstarch.