Uncle Bill's Cookies

This is another incredible recipe from the Shelby family who lived near to us when I was growing up. I think it was Julie who made these for us once. It is a white frosted gingerbread cookie that was famous for being made by Sally Shelby's brother Bill. It is a 'cozy' cookie--perfect for fall weather with a mug of steaming cider. You can also make them into Halloween or Harvest cookies by coloring the icing with orange (or a mixture of red and yellow) food coloring. Use candy corn or harvest-colored sprinkles to decorate the tops. 

 Ingredients:

 2 C sugar 

1 C shortening 

1 C molasses 

2 eggs 

1 C sour milk (put 1 t. lemon juice or white vinegar in a cup of milk to make it sour) 

1 T ginger 

1 T cinnamon 

1 t salt 4 t soda

 2 t cream of tartar

 5 C flour

 Directions:

 Cream sugar/shortenings. Add wet ingredients. Mix and add dry stuff. 

Drop from a spoon on greased and floured cookie sheets. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Powdered Sugar Icing: 4 C powdered sugar (sifted) 2 T soft butter 1 t vanilla Add enough milk to the above until it becomes a thin spreading consistency. Spread on cookies, leaving a margin at the sides after they are cool. Let them harden before eating.