Gina’s Magic Refrigerator Cookies

 

2 cups pre-sifted all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ cup soft butter

½ cup soft shortening

½ tsp lemon extract

½ tsp almond extract

½ tsp vanilla

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

Additional Ingredients for the “Magic” portion:

·         Sliced blanched almonds

·         Chopped candied fruit or red and green cherries.

·         Peppermint extract; red and green food colouring.

Directions:

Measure flour without sifting; add baking powder, soda and salt. Stir thoroughly to blend.

In a separate bowl, Cream butter and shortening until fluffy. Add flavourings. Gradually add sugars, mixing until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add dry ingredients to wet, combining thoroughly.

Chill dough ½ to 1 hour.

Shape chilled dough into rolls 2 inches in diameter and wrap in waxed paper.

Chill overnight or at least 8 hours in the refrigerator.

Cut chilled dough into 1/8 inch slices, using a sharp knife or dental floss (really, who would think of this?).

Place on ungreased cookie sheets 2” apart.

Bake at 375F for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove cookies from pan. Place on wire rack to cool.

Yield: 7 dozen cookies

Here’s the magic part: multiple variations.

·         Tutti-Frutti: Add 1/3 cup sliced, blanched almonds and ½ cup chopped candied fruit or red and green cherries to dry ingredients. Mix well before adding wet.

·         Peppermint Slices: Omit lemon and almond extract. Before chilling dough first time, divide into three portions. Combine 1/3 dough, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract and enough red food colouring to make dough desired shade of red. Repeat with 2^nd third of dough, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, and greed food colouring. Leave the final 1/3 with no additional flavor or colour. Chill the ½ to 1 hr. Shape each 1/3 portion into 2 rolls and press together to create 2 tri-coloured roles.

·         Orange Delight: Omit almond and vanilla extract. Add 1 tablespoon grated orange rind, 1 tsp grated lemon rind and 1 tablespoon orange juice to sugar-egg mixture.

I often separated the dough in half and made two types of cookies at once (e.g. ½ to the peppermint slices and ½ to the orange delight). You just need to alter the additions by ½.