Peppermint Cookies

The use of baking ammonia might seem strange to use, however, it gives these cookies an unusually pleasant "bite". This is a recipe from my Grandma, who would always have these for the grandkids at Christmas.

• Ready In: 8 hrs 10 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup  lard
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1⁄4 cup milk, warmed
• 2  teaspoons  baking ammonia, dissolved in the warm milk
• 1 1⁄2 cups sour cream
• 2  teaspoons  peppermint extract or 20  drops  peppermint oil
• 4 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons baking powder

Directions

1. Beat the lard and sugar together well.
2. Add the eggs and continue beating until smooth and mixed well.
3. Warm up milk, but DO NOT USE AN ALUMINUM POT.
4. Add the ammonia to the warm milk and dissolve.
5. Next, mix together the sour cream and peppermint extract to the warm milk mixture. Add to the egg mixture and beat together until well mixed.
6. Stir together flour, salt and baking powder and then add to the milk mixture, mixing completely.
7. Let the cookie dough sit overnight, in the fridge, in a greased bowl covered with wax paper.
8. Roll out about 1/2 inch thick and cut into shapes. You may have to use a fair bit of flour to stop it from sticking to the counter and rolling pin. I usually do about a 2 1/2 inch diameter circle. Shapes with narrow areas, like points on a star, could possibly burn.
9. Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes.
10. Do not over cook or they will be dry. The bottoms should be just turning light brown.
11. Let them cool.