Let me begin by saying that Grammy’s little sister Sue also cooks. She is known as the family cookie and cupcake baker. Everyone in the family has their favorite Aunt Sue specialty and they’re not shy about making their requests. This cookie is one of my favorites, but it’s also the favorite of others in our clan.

There is a special story behind most of our family recipes, and Sue’s cookies are no exception. She shared the following about this family favorite:

“Gentle Sugar Cookies” are a basic Amish sugar cookie. I first tried the recipe when my nephew Allen was a little boy. He fell in love with them, but couldn’t remember what they were called. So, when he was ready for more, he’d ask me if I would make those “Gentle Cookies.” The name stuck, and they will forever be known as Gentle Cookies in our family.”

This recipe was originally called Country Kitchen Sugar Cookies from the Gooseberry Patch Country Baking Cookbook.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix sugars, butter, oil and eggs together. Add dry ingredients and vanilla. Refrigerate until firm. Roll dough in balls and flatten with a glass that has been dipped in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8 minutes or until edges are slightly brown. Cookies will spread while baking, so do not make dough balls too large. Cool slightly on cookie sheet and then remove to a rack to cool completely.