ABC Cookies
The number of cookies you get will depend on the size of the cookie cutters. If you don’t have ABC cookie cutters, you can make templates from cardboard and cut around them.
INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 36 COOKIES
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease baking sheets.
Blend shortening and butter together until creamy. Add sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
Whisk dry ingredients together; add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour.
Roll dough on a lightly floured surface; cut with cookie cutters. Place on baking sheet.
Bake 6–8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely.
Teaching Tip #2
Use firm, rolled cookie dough to teach geography. Just roll out the dough and cut one large cookie the shape of the country you are studying. Bake the cookie as the recipe directs, adding time as needed to make sure the cookie is completely baked. Cool. Carefully remove the cookie from the baking sheet and let your children use frosting bags and decorator tips to mark rivers, lakes, major cities, and capitals.
