I’ve been making these cookies for years.  The dough is just perfect, not too sweet and great for cut-outs!

3/4 cup shortening (part butter or margarine)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla thoroughly.  In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Gradually add the flour to the shortening mixture.  Combine into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least one hour.  Heat oven to 400F.  Roll out dough approx. 1/8″ thick on a lightly floured surface.  Cut with cookie cutters.  Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake 6 – 8 minutes or until a delicate golden color.  Let stand for a minute.  Remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.  Makes about 4 dozen depending on the size of your cookie cutters.

TIP – I highly recommend the silpat mats in the links below.  They help cookies to bake more evenly and they will virtually slide off when baked!