Barbara S Tea Cakes Cookies Recipe

Ingredients for Barbara S Tea Cakes Cookies

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• Vegetable Shortening
• 2 large eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• 2-4 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Flour
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food Coloring

How to Make Barbara S Tea Cakes Cookies

1. Cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) softened shortening and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with ½ cup milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth (about 2-3 minutes). Avoid overworking.
6. Place the dough in a sealed bag or covered bowl and chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼ - ⅓ inch thickness. Thinner cookies will be crispier.
9. Cut out cookies using your desired cookie cutter. Gently reroll scraps, avoiding overworking the dough.
10. Place cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie for expansion.
11. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still pale.
12. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. **Glaze:** Sift 2 cups powdered sugar into a bowl to remove any lumps.
14. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Gradually add 2-4 tablespoons milk, whisking until you reach a glaze consistency similar to pancake batter (not spreadable like frosting).
15. Add food coloring, if desired.
16. Carefully spoon the glaze over the cooled cookies, spreading it to the edges.
17. Let the glaze dry completely. Once dry, you can decorate further with buttercream or royal icing if desired.