What's Christmas without sugar cookies? I have tried tons of recipes over the years and found this one to be the easiest. I personally loathe rolling out dough and using cookie cutters so this simple recipe lets me churn out 4 dozen cookies quick and easy. Just scoop up some dough and roll it up!

SIMPLE SUGAR COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Sprinkles, if desired (or more white sugar)
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; blend into the creamed mixture. Roll dough into 1" balls and gently dip in a shallow dish of sprinkles or roll them in sugar. Place them 1" apart onto cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly.
3. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for about 3 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.