Jingle Bell Cookies

Ingredients

4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. double-acting baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. dry ground ginger
1 cup shortening
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup hot water
4 egg whites
1 cup crushed pecans
Red and green sprinkles for decorating
Ribbon for hanging cookie, if desired

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger. Mix together with a fork.

In a second bowl, or in the bowl of an electric mixer, combine shortening, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Gradually add hot water, as needed. Dough should not be too sticky, as you will need to roll it out.

Finally, add egg whites and crushed pecans.

Mix until thoroughly combined.

Once mixture is soft, roll out on a floured surface.

Cut using bell-shaped cookie cutter. Arrange on greased baking dish or cookie sheet.

Cook for 10 minutes at 350° F.

After removing the cookies from the oven, you can decorate them with red and green sprinkles. To make a cookie ornament: Poke a small hole in the top of the bell and thread a red or green ribbon through the hole.

TESTER'S TIPS

Make sure to add the hot water as needed only; one cup may be too much. Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out.

The cookies may take longer than 10 minutes to bake. Allow enough time for the cookies to turn golden around the edges.

From:

Maria in Donna, Texas

Why She Loves This Cookie:

I believe these are the best cookies of all. When I make them, I get so many compliments from my fellow employees at the hospital. This recipe goes back eight generations in my family.