Sugar Cookies and Molasses Cookies

Sugar Cookies
found in From Amish and Mennonite Kitchens
Makes 5 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Baking Time: 8-10 minutes per baking sheet

1½ cups sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk, or sour cream
3¾ cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
5 dozen raisins

1. Cream sugar and butter until well blended and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and beat well.
3. Add milk, dry ingredients, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
4. Drop by teaspoonsful onto greased baking sheets. Place a raisin in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly so the raisins stay in place.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Variation:
Use 1 tsp. lemon extract in place of vanilla.

Molasses Cookies
found in From Amish and Mennonite Kitchens
Makes 4 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Baking Time: 8-10 minutes per baking sheet

½ cup solid shortening
¼ lb. light brown sugar
1 cup dark baking molasses
1 cup buttermilk
3 cups flour
1½ tsp. baking soda
2 egg yolks

1. Cream shortening and brown sugar until fluffy.
2. Beat in molasses and buttermilk.
3. Stir in flour and baking soda.
4. Drop in large dollops from teaspoon onto greased baking sheets.
5. Glaze by brushing tops of cookies with a bit of egg yolk before baking.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Variation: Add 1 tsp. ground ginger and 1 tsp. ground cinnamon in Step 3.