Sourdough Sugar Cookies

These sourdough cookies cookies have replaced standard sugar cookies. I make them now for the children to decorate' and to hang on their Christmas tree.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Yields: 3-4 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• Cookies

• 1  cup Crisco shortening
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 3  large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup  sourdough starter
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons lemons or 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda

• Egg Yolk Paint

• 3 -4  large  egg yolks
• 5  teaspoons water
•  food coloring
• 1  tablespoon white corn syrup

• Icing

• 3  large  egg whites, at room temperature
• 1  lb powdered sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

1. Cookies: Cream together shortening and sugar.
2. Add eggs, sourdough starter, and flavorings;.
3. mix well.
4. Stir flour mixture into starter mixture until well blended.
5. Chill dough, if desired.
6. Roll out dough 1/4-inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
7. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 350° until very lightly browned.
9. Remove immediately from oven and transfer cookies to cooling rack.
10. When cool, paint with egg yolk paint.
11. Use clean paint brush.
12. Decorate with icing.
13. Egg-Yolk Paint: Blend together egg yolks, water, desired good coloring and corn syrup to sweeten.
14. If you want to use more than one color, divide into small jars before adding color.
15. Icing: Combine ingredients.
16. Beat with electric mixer at high speed for 7-10 minutes--Icing is now ready to use.
17. Keep bowl covered with damp cloth to prevent drying.
18. Icing will dry very hard and cookies are stackable.