A seashell sugar cookie.

We all love cookies and we also love the

beach!  A simple sugar cookie recipe and be turned into a special treat indeed.  Follow my mom's recipe and decorate as you see fit.  Typically I cut them into different shapes during the holidays.  This offers something different.  

You'll need:  3/4 cup shortening (I use softened butter), 1 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of salt.  Mix the first four ingredients together.  Sift the dry ingredients together.  Gradually add to the wet mixture.  Chill for 1 hour.  Cut cookies and bake at 400 degrees for 6 - 8 minutes.

I've chosen to give my cookies a decorative edge.  You can do this with a cookie cutter like mine or you can cut your cookies in any shape you'd like and use a fork to give them a pretty edge.

Choose a shell (or two) and thoroughly wash and dry it.  Cut your cookies and lay them on the cookie sheet. 

Simply press the shell into the cookie until an impression is left.

Before baking, decorate with sugar if you'd like.

Bake until light brown around the edge.

Lovely.

Perfect with afternoon tea.