Mrs. Nowell’s Sugar Cookies

1 stick margarine (works okay with butter)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup oil
1 pinch of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
2 1/2 cups of flour (sifted)
granulated sugar for rolling
colored sugar for topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° and put parchment paper on your cookie sheets. Cream butter and sugar, add the egg and combine with all the rest of the ingredients except the flour. Be sure to sift the flour before you add it a bit at a time. Roll dough into balls (I use a small scoop) and roll in granulated sugar. Dip tops in colored sugar and arrange on parchment paper on cookie sheet, leaving room for cookies to flatten and spread out. Cook 8-10 minutes until golden brown at the edges. Cool on rack and keep in an air-tight container.

I got this recipe from Lisa who got it from a lady at her church, Margaret Nowell. Their congregation was preparing for an event and had decided that they needed dozens and dozens of these cookies. Everyone who could made a batch or two—all using this recipe! For a while I only made them at Christmas (some how conflating Mrs. Nowell with Noel), but then I realized that they were wonderful all year round. They use cream of tartar, so you get a little bit different texture and taste. Dee-licious!