Double Wreaths

Step 1: Beat shortening in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.

Step 2: Add sugar, baking powder, and salt; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.

Step 3: Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined.

Step 4: Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour with a wooden spoon.

Step 5: Divide dough into thirds. If necessary, cover and chill about 3 hours or until dough is easy to handle.

Step 6: Roll one-third of the dough at a time on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.

Step 7: Cut with 3-1/4- and 2-1/4-inch scalloped cookie cutters, making an equal number of each.

Step 8: Place cutouts on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Step 9: Cut the center from each 3-1/4-inch cutout using a 1-1/4-inch scalloped cutter.

Step 10: Cut the center from each 2-1/4-inch cutout using a 1-inch scalloped cutter.

Step 11: Sprinkle cutouts with colored sugar, granulated sugar, or a combination of sugars.

Step 12: Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned

Step 13: Transfer to wire racks and cool.

Step 14: To assemble, place a small wreath on top of each large wreath; tie wreaths together with ribbon. Tie ribbon into a loop large enough to hang on a tree.