SUGAR COOKIES

 

1 cup shortening (½ of it butter)
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon each ginger, cinnamon, and all spice
½ teaspoon grated orange peel
2 eggs well beaten
1 2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cut finely ground almonds (Optional)
4 cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon brandy
¼ to ½ cup port wine

Cream shortening. Add cloves, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and orange peel. Beat in eggs, sugar, and almonds. Sift flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder together and add alternately with brandy and wine. Chill. Turn out on a floured board and roll until dough is very thin. Cut into desired shapes with pastry cutters. Bake on greased cookie sheets in a hot oven (450 ºF) 10 to 15 minutes or until nicely browned.

Serves 8.

 

area : Southern Africa

course : cookies

 

source : Richard Himbarger [AFRICANrecipes]