I love to try new recipes but it has to be something truly tasty and uncomplicated to end up in my regular baking rotation. This simple and elegant cookie has quickly become a favorite treat, as well as a favorite activity in our home.

The pattern of the spool pressed in the cookie dough bakes into an attractive flower design in the center of each cookie. They are delicious and colorfully decorative without the extra work of mixing up frosting or icing.

Painted Spool Cookies

Items needed:

Plastic spool of thread, paper removed and washed.

Clean paintbrushes or Q-tips

Your choice of food colors

Ingredients:
½ cup butter
½ cup margarine
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
Extra sugar for decoration (white or color)

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream together butter, margarine, oil and sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; stir into sugar mixture just until blended. Cover with plastic wrap and chill dough for at least 3 hours to overnight.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar and place 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
Press spool into tops of each cookie, dipping spool in sugar in between presses to prevent sticking.
Use clean paintbrushes or Q-tips to paint the flower design with your choice of food color. Place pressed and painted cookies in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to help them retain their shape while baking.
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Do Not Over bake!

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