Jello Sugar Cookies

Super easy to make – much easier than regular sugar cookies because the dough doesn’t have to chill and you don’t have to roll it out with a rolling pin – and they have the added bonus of a hint of flavor AND color! This is for sure a keeper recipe. I used lemon, lime, orange, and raspberry jello flavorings because those were the colors of my Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, but wouldn’t blue ones be cute for a smurf party?! Or watermelon for a paler pink cookie for a princess party?? The possibilities are endless. And I was SO pleased that the cookies came out soft and chewy and stayed that way even after 24 hours. Really, really great recipe. Thanks “Just Helen” via Pinterest!

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Jell-O Cookies

1/2 cup shortening

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 – 3oz. pkg of Jell-O ( I used raspberry, orange, lemon and lime flavors…but my very favorites are raspberry and lime)

Cream the above ingredients.  Add:

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

matching food coloring to intensify color (optional)

Cream the eggs and vanilla into the sugar mixture.  Add:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix well.  The dough will be fairly soft, but not sticky.  You don’t need to refrigerate the dough before rolling.

Pre-heat oven to 400°.  Roll dough into 1″ to 1 1/4″ balls and then roll in a bowl with about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in it, completely covering the exterior of the dough ball.  Place on the pan about 2″ apart.  Using a flat-bottomed glass (or bowl) press the dough to about a 3/8″ thickness.

Sprinkle matching sugar crystals on top of cookie and lightly press them into the cookies with flat-bottomed glass.

original recipe from http://justhelen.net/2012/03/jell-o-cookies/