Eight-trick Butter Cookies

BAKE at 400 degrees. MAKES 5 to 6 dozen. Sift together flour, soda, cream
of tartar, and salt. Cream butter. Gradually add sugar, creaming well.
Blend in egg and vanilla; beat well. Add the dry ingredients gradually; mix
well. Drop by half teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Top with
candied cherry half or walnut half. (Or shape as directed in following
variations, using ungreased baking sheets.) *For use with Pillsbury’s Best
Self-Rising Flour, omit soda, cream of tartar and salt. VARIATIONS: For
snowballs: Stir in 1 1/2 cups Funsten’s Walnuts, chopped or ground. Chill
dough. Shape by teaspoonfuls into balls. Roll warm cookies in
confectioners’ sugar. Cool, roll again in sugar. For Butter Fingers: Stir
in 1 cup Funsten’s Nuts, chopped, 1/2 cup chopped well-drained maraschino
or candied cherries. Chill dough. Shape by teaspoonfuls into oblong finger
cookies. Bake 8 to 12 minutes. Roll warm cookies in sugar. Cool, roll again
in sugar. For Jewel Clusters: Blend in 1 teaspoon grated orange rind, 2
teaspoons orange juice, 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit and 1 cup Funsten’s
Nuts, chopped. Drop by half teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. For
Cinnamon Balls: Chill dough. Shape by teaspoonfuls into balls, then roll in
mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons French’s Cinnamon. For Butter
Crispies (rolled cookie): Chill dough. Roll out on well-floured surface to
1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with floured cutters. Bake 5 to
8 minutes. For Butter Thinsies (refrigerator cookie): Chill dough. Shape
into rolls, 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper; chill at least 2
hours. Cut into 1/8-inch slices. If desired, sprinkle with chopped coconut
or Funsten’s Nuts. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. For Chocolate Mint Creams: Stir in
2 squares (2 ounces) melted unsweetened chocolate. Chill dough. Shape into
rolls, 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper; chill at least 2 hours.
Cut int 1/8-inch slices. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Cool. Spread half of cookies
with Peppermint Frosting. Top with remaining cookies. For Molasses Spice
Crisps: Stir in 1/4 cup molasses, 2 teaspoons French’s Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon
French’s Ginger and 1/2 teaspoon French’s Nutmeg. Chill dough. Roll out on
well-floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with
floured cookie cutters. Bake 6 to 8 minutes.