Dagmar's Famous Sugar Cookies

In December of 2007 my home was in the annual Christmas Parade of Homes in Manti. Several people who visited reminisced about coming to the Hall home after school for Dagmar's unforgettable sugar cookies made with bacon grease. Here is the recipe, courtesy of Glade and Keith Hall, two of her grandsons.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup solid bacon grease
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
3 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 375°. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together bacon fat and sugar. Beat in the egg, vanilla and orange peel. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to l-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch diameter rounds, or various shapes, using cookie cutters. Transfer cut cookies to greased cookie sheets. Gather and reroll dough scraps; cut additional cookies. Sprinkle cookies with additional sugar, unless they will be frosted later. Bake until edges start to turn golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen 3-inch cookies.