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Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe – Oma's Zuckerkekse 

Want an easy sugar cookie recipe? One that can be used for Christmas cookies? Learn how to make Oma’s Zuckerkekse that are perfect any time of the year. Lecker!

Servings:

Makes 3 - 4 dozen, depending on size

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp (6 g) baking powder
• ¼ tsp (1.5 g) salt
• ⅓ cup (64 g) shortening (see hints below)
• 6 tbsp (84 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk
• 1 tsp (5 ml) almond extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and butter. Add sugar and beat till fluffy. 
4. Add egg, milk, and almond extract and beat well. Add flour mixture and beat till well mixed. Cover and chill for about 3 hours.
5. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured counter, roll out one half to about ⅛ to ¼-inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters. Repeat with remaining dough. Excess dough can be rerolled. Place at least 1-inch apart on cookie sheets. 
6. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
7. Let the cookie sheets cool before reusing for the next batch of cookies.
8. Decorate as desired.

Notes/Hints:

• Don't want to use shortening? You can substitute butter for shortening, but the cookies will be crispier, flatter, and, well, butterier in flavor, not necessarily a bad thing ;) You may want to omit the milk or only use a teaspoon or two when you are making the dough, since the butter has more water content than shortening. 
• Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle over cookies. Or, dip half of cookie into melted chocolate.
• Simply dust with powdered sugar.
• Make an icing by mixing together 1½ cups powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. Add food coloring and stir till well mixed. Brush on cookies.
• Put either melted chocolate or icing into a small baggie. Snip off the corner and pipe designs on cookies.
• Sandwich two cookies together with jam or jelly.

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11.17.2021 revision update