Butterfly Cookies

Fly away with these whimsical, lemon-scented sugar cookies—and there's a cherry bonus in the center, too.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons colored sugar sprinkles
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
18 candied red cherries, halved

Cooking Directions:

1. In a large bowl beat butter and shortening until fluffy. Stir in half of the flour, sugar, egg, milk, baking powder, vanilla and salt; beat until thoroughly combined. Stir in remaining half of flour, sugar sprinkles and lemon peel. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Roll dough onto a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thick and cut into diamond shapes. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Set a cherry half in the center of each cookie. Cut small slits in each cookie from the cherry to each corner and spread dough apart slightly (it will almost resemble a butterfly).
4. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool for 1 minute before transferring to wire racks.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.