Sugar Cookies -- the short version
Mix: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup shortening.
Add: 1 egg
Mix in separate bowl:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 half-teaspoon of cream of tartar (optional)
Stir dry ingredients into the sugar mix.
Place globs on a cookie sheet, mash with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
Bake 6 minutes at 400 degrees, till edges barely start to get tan in color.
Sugar Cookies White as Snow -- the Narrative Version