Basic Holiday Butter Cookies-Pt 1

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Basic Holiday Butter Cookies-Pt 1
Categories: Cookies
Yield: 16 servings

1/4 c Vegetable shortening
Plus 1 teaspoon./divided
3/4 c Unsalted butter; softened
2 c Sugar
4 Egg yolks
1 tb Pure vanilla
1/3 c Light cream
5 c Flour
1/4 ts Salt
1/2 c Cornstarch
4 ts Baking powder

Preheat to 350. Grease 2 sheets with 1/2 tsp. each of shortening. If
desired, line sheets with parchment paper, but do not grease. In lg bowl,
beat together butter and remaining 1/4 cup shortening till color is even.
Add sugar and beat till fluffy, 3-5 min. In small bowl beat together yolks,
vanilla and light cream. Slowly pour into butter mix. Continue beating
till egg mix is thoroughly incorporated.
In separate lg bowl sift together flour, salt, starch and baking
powder. Fold flour mix gently into butter mix in 3 additions, beating each
addition till incorporated. Scrape down mix occasionally. Place 4 sheets of
plastic wrap on work surface. Place 1/4 of dough on each sheet of plastic.
Form each clump of dough into a disk and wrap in plastic.

To Bake: Cut, form or shape 1 disk of dough into 24 cookies, according
to individual directions below. Place on prepared sheets. Bake 15-20 min,
depending on size and shape. (See individual instructions below.) Remove
cookies from oven and immediately transfer cookies to rack. Each variation
makes about 2 doz. When completely cooled, store in tins or freeze, wrapped
in freezer wrap or freezer plastic. Can be frozen 8-12 month. Kim Clegg

-----