Big, Soft Sugar Cookies

Yes, it would be easier to buy the slice and bake.  Or the boxed mix.  Don't.  These are worth the effort.  Big and soft and buttery delicious.  Faith picked decorated sugar cookies over cake for her birthday party.  Food and an activity in one recipe - score!

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, shortening and sugar. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt, stir into the creamed mixture until dough comes together.
  
• For giant cookie, measure out dough with a 1/3-1/2 cup scoop.  Leaving 2 " between dough balls, put them on a baking sheet.  Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.  Bake about 20 minutes or until edges turn golden.
• For normal sized cookie, roll dough into walnut sized balls. Place them on an unprepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  Flatten slightly.
  
• Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottom is light brown. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.