Seeking to enjoy a normal activity, just like before!


In thinking over what used to be a normal activity for me, something creative and fun, what can I do? With all the sheltering at home, I really needed to find "normal", and not just a cleaning chore.

I choose an activity that I began to enjoy as far back as 1973.  Baking Sugar Cookies.

I donated the recipe to the Central Methodist Church Cookbook, Spartanburg, SC.  Actually, I searched today other sugar cookie recipes on the Internet, thinking maybe there is one "better" and healthier?  I could not find it exactly as I used, and have used for years and I know this recipe tastes great, and rolls out well.  It's in the chilling, and use of flour as your cut the shape. More info with the recipe!

First up during this Easter Season, making little sugar cookies.  Of course I had a lot of help and company before, with the grands (Ruthie, Celia and Hank).  Making Sugar Cookies was one our annual "fellowship" activities to do:  Nana and the grands.  For certain we'd make a mess, but first clean hands.  Sounds familiar eh?

Next, making sure the counter area clean and dusted with flour. The shaping and  making a ball with the chilled dough.

Chilled dough.  ALWAYS make up the Sugar Cookie recipe the night before.  Covering the bowl with two layers of clean kitchen clothes, and put into the refrigerator.  BEFORE using, bring out of refrigerator about 30 minutes prior, and work the raw dough into small balls for easy rolling out flat.

So the grands would line up at the kitchen counter, each would put on an apron and work with a small ball of homemade Sugar Cookie dough, rolling out flat so that they could cut their shapes.  I often would watch in wonder, as they would go through the process of placing flour down on the counter, patting down the ball to "a little flat" and then taking the rolling pin and back and forth, evening up the flattened out dough for cutting the shape.  Then, picking a shape and deciding on the sugar crystals and off they went!  Always each had a spatula to move the shape to the cooking sheet.

Often cutting the shapes was not just enough.  They would take the dough and hand shape making all types of worms, castles and funky shapes.  These "Free Flowing" shapes were the ones that each watched over as they baked, and for certain, NO ONE could eat those, except the creator.

Today, while alone in my kitchen, these sweet little Sugar Cookies came alive.  Lots of flour to help me cut the shapes.  These Sugar Shapes baked in my oven that I learned quickly was a bit to high.  All through this normal activity I sought to have today, missed my little hands helping and enjoying their creative uses of the dough and their pleasure in seeing the results, and eating them also.

While on an errand (with mask on), I dropped off a small sealed container to the grands and their MOM came to the fence.  It was then I could remember her as a 4-year old, standing on a chair, with flour on her face, enjoying the feel and touch of the dough and making sweet Sugar Cookies.  Her smile showing the fun she was having, easily remembered, and it made my day!

PS - a  how-to is forthcoming in a short film, as there is a step-by-step how to make "Sugar Cookies".  Minus the little sweet hands, and the smile of my daughter over 40 years ago.  See below for the recipe.

Linda Dennis

Recipe"
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup of softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Mix first five ingredients, Blend in remaining.
Cover tightly and chill. Roll dough 1/8 in thick on a lightly floured board/counter.
Dip cookie cutters into flour, then cut desired shapes form rolled dough. Sprinkle colored sugar crystals on top before baking.  You make also decorate the Sugar Shapes with icing after baking.
Place on ungreased baking sheet.  400 degrees, Bake 6-8 minutes.  Be sure and check oven at 4-6 minus as the browning may occur if the thickness vary of your dough.

TIP:  for ease in cutting your shapes, dip into flour.  WIGGLE the the shape into flattened dough.
Pick up with a spatula.  If you find your dough is either to 'sticky" , lightly sprinkle flour and work into the dough ball.







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