Once in a while, you are blessed to meet a person with a truly giving spirit. Loretta was that person for my family and me.

Since my parents were transplants from another area, she adopted them, the four of us, and even my nieces when they came along. Not a holiday would go by without her dropping off a tin of her delicious sugar cookies, along with a multitude of other special treats.

This old fashioned cookie simply melts in your mouth with a lovely vanilla almond flavor that is wonderfully unique.

Occasionally, Loretta would drizzle a thin glaze over the top and sprinkle them with colored sugar to dress them up for the season. We just loved them.

So, in honor of Loretta and her kind-hearted nature, I’m happy to share this treasured recipe along with my memories. Enjoy!

1 c. sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. Crisco
2 eggs
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
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4-1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

1. Blend sugar and shortening. Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl; add to mixture
3. Chill dough
4. Roll into balls.
5. Flatten onto cookie with patterned glass dipped in sugar.
6. Bake at 350° until browned on edges.