Instructions: In a small mixing bowl combine butter and shortening. In a large bowl combine remaining cookie ingredients. Using a pastry blender, two knives or a food processor cut shortening mixture into flour mixture til like fine meal. Store in air tight container in fridge til gift giving with recipe as follows: Sugar cookies, combine 2 cups of mix with 2/3 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 2 Tablespoons of milk and 1 egg.Roll on floured surface with floured pin to 1/8" thickness. Cut shapes and bake at 400 degrees on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 5-8 minutes, or until lightly browned on edges. Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking if desired or frost and decorate when cooled. 3 1/2 dozen ccokies. To make colored sugars, in a jar combine sugar with 2-3 drops of color. Cover tightly and shake till blended. I put mix in a plain nonziplock gallon size baggie. Tie with ribbon or raffia. Add a wooden spoon, and cookie cutters in basket, lined with a linen napkin. I buy tiny jars and fill with different colored sugars, and throw in cookie cutters for whatever season. (Christmas, valentines day, halloween, etc. Nice teacher basket too, with an apple cookie cutter.)

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