Sugar Cookie Recipe

I wish I could give credit to the mastermind behind this recipe, but I found it online one day a while back and it's changed sugar-cookie-making for me FOREVER.  It's actually enjoyable now:

Preheat 400 degrees and lightly grease cookie sheets.


1 1/2c Sugar
2/3c Shortening or butter
2 eggs
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/4c Flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl cream shortening and sugar. Add the eggs, extract, and milk. In med bowl mix dry ingredients with wire whisk. Add dry ingredients to large bowl. Mix with mixer until well combined. Here's the big secret that makes sugar cookie making tolerable!!!! Split the dough in half, and roll out between 2 pieces of parchment paper to about 1/4" thickness. Take the dough IN the paper and put on a cookie sheet and put in freezer. Go back and roll about the 2nd half. By the time you go to the freezer again, the 1st half is ready to cut out. If you weren't planning on getting to it right away, put it in the fridge instead. I dip my cutters in a smidge of flour - but that's it - no piles of flour everywhere - I love it.