granny's sugar cookies

(3 ratings)
Recipe by
Amy H.
Detroit, MI

This recipe originally comes from the 1941 edition of the Lily Wallace New American Cookbook, which my Great Grandmother (we called her Granny) made a lot of recipes from. Its an amazing cook book! We have made a few variations to the recipe over the years. The original recipe calls for grated orange rhine, but we didn't have any once so my mom substituted orange juice instead and it gave them a little extra something. We've been making them this way ever since! Also, the original recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of sugar. I use 1 1/2 cups. Anyways, they are sure tasty either way! Enjoy!

(3 ratings)
yield 2 dozen cookies
prep time 15 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For granny's sugar cookies

  • 2/3 c
    shortening
  • 1 1/2 c
    sugar
  • 2
    eggs
  • 3 c
    all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp
    salt
  • 2 tsp
    baking powder
  • 2 Tbsp
    orange juice (instead of rhind)
  • icing, (optional) recipe follows
  • sugar topping or sprinkles (optional)
  • ICING
  • 2 1/2 c
    powdered sugar
  • 3 Tbsp
    milk
  • 1 Tbsp
    butter, softened
  • 1 Tbsp
    light corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp
    vanilla or almond extract
  • food color, if desired

How To Make granny's sugar cookies

  • 1
    Cream Shortening, sugar, and eggs together until light and foamy.
  • 2
    Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together.
  • 3
    Mix flour mixture with egg mixture; add orange juice. Mix until smooth. (If mixture is dry add a small amount of cold water to moisten)
  • 4
    Chill then roll and cut with cookie cutters. Bake on a cookie sheet for 5-6 minutes at 350.
  • 5
    FOR THE ICING
  • 6
    Combine powdered sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon butter, corn syrup and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in small mixer bowl; mix until powdered sugar is moistened.
  • 7
    Beat at medium speed until smooth, adding additional milk if necessary, to reach desired glazing consistency. Tint with food color, if desired.
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