V-Day

From Kelly:  

For Valentine's Day we made sugar cookies and decorated them with the help of Emily (sister) and David (now future brother-in-law).  While I have adopted this Ford tradition of baking sugar cookies for most special occasions and state holidays, I've tweaked the classic Ford recipe a little.  Actually, I used sister-in-law Kristen's recipe which is basically half of Mom Ford's recipe plus almond flavoring and baking soda.  But instead of using all shortening, I used a combo of butter, cream cheese, and Crisco.  They turned out pretty well, but I don't think I've perfected the recipe to my liking.  Not that I have anything against these recipes.  I just have this thing about adjusting and readjusting any recipe I find to suit my taste.  It's a curse.  It means I have to remake the same thing over and over until I can find no flaws.  I did the same thing with a banana bread recipe.  I have bought many bananas over the past few weeks.

I just realized that I like blogging about food.

Here's the recipe if you wish:

1/3 c. shortening

1/2 c. soft butter

1/2 c. soft cream cheese

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 c. milk

2 t. vanilla extract

1/2 t. almond extract

6-7 c. flour

3 t. baking powder

3 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

Beat the shortening, butter and cream cheese together until smooth.  Beat in sugar until smooth, then eggs.  Add milk and extracts and blend till creamy.  Slowly beat in flour, baking powder, soda and salt; you may have to stir by hand at the end.  Roll out dough about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and cut out with big cookie cutters.  Bake at 350 F for about 8 minutes, depending on how brown you like the bottoms.  Cool and cover with cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze.

Also for V-Day we got a wonderful heart-y package from Cupid (a.k.a. Mom) with lots of goodies.  That evening, we went on a double date with Em and David to a FANTASTIC Italian restaurant in downtown Provo, Gloria's Little Italy.  I loooooove Italian food!