Basic holiday butter cookies-pt 1

1/4 c  Vegetable shortening
           Plus 1 teaspoon./divided
    3/4 c  Unsalted butter; softened
      2 c  Sugar
      4    Egg yolks
      1 tb Pure vanilla
    1/3 c  Light cream
      5 c  flour
    1/4 ts Salt
    1/2 c  Cornstarch
      4 ts baking powder
 
      Preheat to 350.  Grease 2 sheets with 1/2 tsp. each of shortening. If
  desired, line sheets with parchment paper, but do not grease. In lg bowl,
  beat together butter and remaining 1/4 cup shortening till color is even.
  Add sugar and beat till fluffy, 3-5 min. In small bowl beat together yolks,
  vanilla and light cream.  Slowly pour into butter mix. Continue beating
  till egg mix is thoroughly incorporated.
       In separate lg bowl sift together flour, salt, starch and baking
  powder. Fold flour mix gently into butter mix in 3 additions, beating each
  addition till incorporated. Scrape down mix occasionally. Place 4 sheets of
  plastic wrap on work surface. Place 1/4 of dough on each sheet of plastic.
  Form each clump of dough into a disk and wrap in plastic.
  
      To Bake: Cut, form or shape 1 disk of dough into 24 cookies, according
  to individual directions below. Place on prepared sheets. Bake 15-20 min,
  depending on size and shape. (See individual instructions below.) Remove
  cookies from oven and immediately transfer cookies to rack. Each variation
  makes about 2 doz. When completely cooled, store in tins or freeze, wrapped
  in freezer wrap or freezer plastic. Can be frozen 8-12 month. Kim Clegg
 
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