4th of July Cookies: Hot Cinnamon Cookies

Cookies dotted with red hot cinnamon candies will be popular with the kids at your July 4th party. The extra crunch in these cinnamon cookies is due to the rice flour. Rice flour can be found in the Asian or Indonesian food section of most grocery stores and adds a light crispness to cookies and crackers. A blend of rice flour and all-purpose flour will yield the best results in your baked goods. Rice flour on its own is very grainy.

Ingredients

3/4 Cup vegetable shortening
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups rice flour
1/2 Cup Red Hot Candies or Cinnamon Decors
1/2 Cup red-colored sugar

Directions

Add the shortening and sugar into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy.

Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

Sift together dry ingredients and beat into mixture until thoroughly combined.

Cover dough with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350F (175C).

Lightly spray a baking sheet with a non-stick cooking spray.

Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness.

Cut out cookies with a 2-inch star shaped cookie cutter.

Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Dot stars with red hots and sprinkle with red colored sugar.

Bake for 12 minutes.

Remove cookies from oven and cool thoroughly.

Serves

Makes about 24 cookies.