Babki's Drop Cookies

These are a soft, puffy cookie made with sour milk. I have found very good versions of them in the bakery sections of stores called "Sour Cream Cookies," but there are lots of recipes for Sour Cream Cookies that are completely different from this recipe from my grandmother.

• 1/2 cup shortening (I used butter)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup sour milk*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Flaked coconut
  

*To sour milk, add drops of vinegar to milk until it curdles. I recommend using whole milk - that was what my grandmother used.

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cream shortening with butter in large bowl.
• Add beaten egg.
• In separate bowl, Mix together dry ingredients. Add gradually to egg/butter/sugar mixture.
• Blend in sour milk and vanilla.
• Drop by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle with coconut.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
  

The goal is to make a uniformly soft cookie, lightly browned on the edges but not crisp. Cookies should form flattened domes. For best results, I recommend using ungreased non-stick pans.