Granny Duckett's Famous Sugar Cookies

My Granny Duckett always said, “Anything you do, do it with joy!” That’s what I saw her do as I grew up and it stuck with me. When we made her sugar cookies together, we were patient and generous with both ingredients and love.

I share this treasured recipe because Granny Duckett would be cool with it I think.

(I'll keep her sweet potato pie recipe for a while longer though lol.)

If your family makes them, send a photo to politepiggysinfo@gmail.com and we'll feature them!

P.S. - If you’re feeling fancy, add a little lemon or orange zest to your dough when mixing.

Just don’t add the cinnamon sugar on top at the end - make it regular sugar.

P.P.S. I just remembered, we used to add Maraschino cherries in the middle of some cookies. No cinnamon sugar on those, just plain sugar. I am going to try a dollop of plum jam in the middle or a Luxardo cherry next.

Granny Duckett’s Sugar Cookies

• 1/2 c shortening + 1/4 c butter (plus extra butter for melting)

• 1 c sugar (plus extra sugar for dusting)

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 2 1/2 c gold medal flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• cinnamon for dusting

Using a stand or hand mixer, mix together the first five ingredients (ending with vanilla). Blend in the remaining dry ingredients (except the cinnamon).

Roll dough into a long using waxed or parchment paper and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge.

Remove from fridge, and on the same parchment paper, roll dough very thin (1/8 inch) - like so thin you can almost see through it.

Using a sharp knife, cut diagonal lines and then crosscut to make diamonds (or another preferred shape is great, too). If you want to use cookie cutters, you will have to leave the dough a bit thicker.

Melt butter and separately, mix together cinnamon and sugar to taste.

Using a pastry brush, brush butter on top of cookies and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Place the parchment paper (with the cut cookies) on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until cookies are light brown on top with crispy edges.

Let cookies cool and enjoy! Eat with those you love or share and make someone’s day.