Shotwells Famous Sugar Cookies Recipes

WORLD FAMOUS PARADISE BAKERY SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the sugars and shortening using an electric mixer.
• Mix on slow speed 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula.
• Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes.
• Slowly add vanilla and beaten egg while mixing.
• 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.
• Scoop with an ice-cream scoop and roll in sugar.
• Place directly on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with palm of hand.
• 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 BEST ROLLED SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

SHOTWELL'S FAMOUS SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup sugar with 5 cups flour and baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
• Blend butter in with pastry cutter/pastry blender until crumbly.
• Beat eggs slightly in separate bowl and add remaining sugar gradually to egg mixture.
• Blend buttermilk and vanilla into egg mixture, then blend egg mixture together with dry ingredients. I use powdered buttermilk mix.
• Chill dough in plastic wrap or plastic bags in refrigerator until ready to bake (or use immediately). If you are short on time, put the dough in the freezer for 15 minutes or so, rather than in the refrigerator overnight.
• Turn 1/4 of dough onto lightly floured board.
• Roll to about 1/8" to 1/4" thick. Cut with cookie cutters or hand-cut into circles or other shapes. Use cookie cutters that are relatively simple -- fancier cookie shapes tend to burn or break more easily with this recipe.
• Dip cookie top lightly into cinnamon/sugar blend or into nutmeg/sugar blend, or shake on top of cookies.
• Bake at 375 ° F for 6-9 minutes, until *very* light brown at edges.
• Put on wire rack to cool.
• Source: Barbara/Eric Shotwell.