World Famous Paradise Bakery Sugar Cookies

Sarah mentioned to me a while back that I should try this recipe, so I made them tonight. They are really good-- I like it because it looks as good as it tastes, like a real bakery cookie. The cake flour makes all the difference, I'm sure. I used my large cookie scoop for these. 

 

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups shortening
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, beaten
41/3 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Sugar for decorating

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together the sugars and shortening using an electric mixer.
Mix on slow speed 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula. Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes. Slowly add vanilla and beaten egg while mixing.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl, mixing on slow speed until just blended. Do not overmix.
Dough may be rolled out on a lightly floured board and cut with cookie cutters, or scooped with an ice-cream scoop and placed directly on cookie sheet. If scooped, flatten with palm of hand.
Bake at 375 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes. Cookies are done when small cracks appear. Ideally, the edges do not brown.
Sprinkle liberally with sugar after baking. Makes about 3 dozen small cookies.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/recipes/articles/0131cornerrec231-CR.html#ixzz0zeb6moNz