CINNAMON SUGAR COOKIE BALLS
1/4 cup (4 TB) butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening (I use buttery Crisco)
¾ cup, plus 3 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
1 egg.................................................................2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1 tsp. vanilla....................................................1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt.......................................................1-1/4 cups flour
**
Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. ** Put 3 TB granulated sugar (plus a bunch of colored sugar, if desired) with 1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon in a small bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
Beat the butter and shortening together. Add remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar and cream together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Then beat in baking powder, remaining 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, salt, and flour.
I used a small cookie scoop (about 3/4 full), or use 1 TB cookie dough. Form into balls in the palm of your hand. Roll each cookie in the cinnamon sugar and put on the baking sheet about 2" apart.
Bake at 375 for 6-7 minutes. (The bottoms of the cookies should be lightly browned, but the tops should be light) Cool on the pan for a few minutes before removing to racks or paper to cool completely. If you want to pipe anything on top, wait until they're cool! (I piped green leaves with a cinnamon red hot candy for the holidays). Makes about 2-1/2 to 3 dozen.