Paradise Bakery Sugar Cookie Recipe!

Sorry for the awful picture, but I had to use my cellphone! I've started some Holiday baking and decided to start with these yummy sugar cookies! They are a knock off recipe from Paradise Bakery and they come pretty darn close to the real thing. I found the recipe on Food.com and this is my second year making them.

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups shortening (I use butter shortening for extra flavor)
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg, beaten
4 1/3 cups cake flour (last year I used this amount and they seemed dry. This year I only used 4 cups and they were a little better. I think you could cut 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup out and still be fine)
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
sugar, for decorating

Directions:

1. Preheat ove to 375
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugars and shortening using electric mixer.
3. Mix on slow speed 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula
4. Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes.
5. Slowly add vanilla and beaten egg while mixing.
6. In a separate bowl, combine the 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.
7. Scoop with an ice-cream scoop and roll in sugar.
8. Place directly on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with palm of hand.
9. Bake at 375 for 9-10 minutes. Cookies are done when small cracks appear and are pale golden. Ideally, the edges do not brown.

The picture above was the first batch out of the oven. As you can see, my boys snagged one before I could take the picture!

I would love to hear about any of your favorite holiday recipes. I can even post them and share them, if you'd like. I will be sharing more of my favorites over the next few weeks!

Enjoy!