1 cup butter flavored shortening

2 eggs

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Decorations (colored sugar, frosting, candies, chips, etc. your choice)

 

Heat oven to 375 deg.  Combine sugar and shortening in large bowl; beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.  Add eggs, syrup, and vanilla.  Beat well.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add gradually to creamed mixture at low speed.  Mix until well blended.  Divide dough into quarters.  (If dough is too sticky to roll, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.)  Keep refrigerated until ready to roll.

 

Place one quarter of the dough on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper.  Flatten dough slightly, turn over, and cover with another sheet of waxed paper.  Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness.  Cut out with floured cutter.  Transfer to ungreased baking sheet, 2 inches apart.  Sprinkle with decors, or leave plain to frost when cooled.  Bake at 375 deg. for 5 to 9 minutes (5 minutes for smaller, thinner cut-outs; larger cut-outs closer to 9 minutes).  DO NOT OVERBAKE.  Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet.  Remove to counter to cool completely, then frost if desired.

 

Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.