Mennonite Soft White Cookies

Nimmireth's Note:

A sugar cookie that is not too sweet, but deliciously soft! I was served cookies like these by a Mennonite couple, and searched desperately for the recipe until I found this one on a Mennonite cooking website! They've been a big hit wherever I've taken them, and they're a family favourite! I've modified the recipe to have coconut on top, like they were first served to me. If necessary, add an extra 1/4-1/2 cup of flour to keep the dough from being too sticky, and if you don't have buttermilk, use 1 cup milk + 1 tsp. vinegar and let stand for 5 minutes before use. The measurements for the icing are approximate, as I don't usually measure the amounts exactly and they aren't given on the recipe site; make more if you need/like more! Enjoy!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 24 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Cook Time: 9 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 60 cookies

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Icing

• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2-2 cups icing sugar
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Directions:

1. Cream shortening and sugar together.
2. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Stir flour mixture, alternately with the buttermilk, into the creamed mixture, until it forms a soft ball. Add extra flour if necessary.
5. Cover and chill in the fridge for about 1 hour.
6. Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness, cut into circles or desired shapes and place on cookie sheets.
7. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 9 minute.
8. Mix all icing ingredients until mixture is of spreading consistency. Make sure butter/margarine is softened before using. You can also add food colouring if desired!
9. When cookies are cool, ice with icing.
10. Sprinkle coconut on tops as desired.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Had a great time making (as well as sharing!) these wonderful cookies! I did use a small-size cookie cutter so have a lot of them to share with neighbors & other friends! I do love coconut, so was probably a bit too generous with that ingredient! Thanks for sharing this great recipe! [Made & reviewed for one of my adopted chef in this Spring's Pick A Chef event]