Ask the Expert: Sugar Cookies
By Nell Musolf
Sweet treats that are perfect every time
D
ecember means holiday cookies — and a perennial favorite for many is the sugar cookie. Debbie Paulson has been baking Christmas cookies for 35-plus years and typically bakes up to 90 large trays of every year. Among the cookies she bakes are sugar cookies, spritz, chocolate pinwheels, chocolate chip, M&M,
raisin, date-filled and cereal wreaths (to name a few), but sugar cookies remain her top pick. “Sugar cookies are my favorite because everybody loves them,” Paulson said. To make a perfect batch of the traditional treat, Paulson lives by a few important tips: “I never use a mixer,” Paulson said. Instead she mixes by hand to ensure that the cookie dough doesn’t get over mixed “Watch them while they bake and when you see brown on any of the cookies, take them out.”
Debbie Paulson’s Sugar Cookies 2/3 cup shortening (Debbie uses a heaping 2/3, so you might want to use a whole cup). She recommends Butter Flavored Crisco. ¾ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 2 Tablespoons milk ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder (check the date on your can and if it has expired, buy a new one) 2 cups all-purpose flour Cream together Crisco and sugar. Then, cream together with vanilla, egg and milk. Then, add salt and baking powder into the mixture. Finally, add the flour.
Divide into two parts and roll them out. Be sure to use plenty of flour on your rolling pin. Cut into favorite shapes. Bake cookies at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes. After removing the cookies from the oven, leave them on the sheet so they can continue to bake a little longer. Debbie also recommends using the middle rack in the oven and putting an extra cookie sheet on the bottom rack so there is no direct heat on the sheet with the cookies on it. For frosting, she mixes powdered sugar, melted butter, clear vanilla and milk until she gets a medium texture that is neither runny nor too thick. “I have no measurements for my frosting,” Debbie said. “For this I just dump. Use maybe ¼ stick of butter and a teaspoon of vanilla.”
News to use: Organizing attics and basements By Nicole Anzia | Special To The Washington Post
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ttics and basements are the obvious places to store seasonal, overflow and keepsake items. But before you shove a bunch of cardboard boxes into the dark attic or damp basement, consider to how and where to store your items so they’ll be in good condition and easy to find. Think Vertically If there’s room, use shelving to maximize and organize the space. Shelving in storage rooms does not need to be beautiful, but it does need to be sturdy. There are many good shelving options out there, but I recommend using something adjustable so you’re able to move things around as necessary without wasting space. The Container Store’s InterMetro shelving is a popular choice for basements. Neatly organized shelves will also make it easier to see things and group like items together. Protection from the elements Using shelves for basement storage is also a good idea because it keeps valuables off the floor, safeguarding them against possible water damage. Even the most secure basements are susceptible to water, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Attics are obviously less vulnerable to water damage, assuming your roof is in good shape, but things stored up there need to be resistant to extreme temperature
changes. Artwork, photographs and records from the ‘80s will be damaged if they get too hot. You shouldn’t need a flashlight If you feel like you’re heading into a cave every time you go searching for your favorite holiday decorations or the hammer you’ll need to hang them, you’re not going to be happy. So make sure that your basement and attic storage spaces are well lighted. You don’t need pretty or expensive fixtures, but you do need adequate lighting to make the space feel at least a little welcoming and, more important, functional. Labeling is crucial Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll remember where you put last year’s winter boots or your favorite holiday serving platter. Take a f e w minutes to list the contents of each bin on the outside with a piece of masking tape and a permanent marker. You can also go beyond that and create an electronic map or list of the contents of your attic and basement. It’s a good way to remind you and your family where things are kept, but it can also be important for insurance purposes. MANKATO MAGAZINE • december 2013 • 9