In a large bowl sift together dry ingredients. In another bowl cream sugar and shortening, add eggs and cream again. Add creamed mixture to dry ingredients alternating with milk. Mix well using up all flour. Separate dough into 4 portions. Roll out thinly one portion at a time and cut out saucer sized circles (a beef stew can does a great job) of dough. Place a tbl of your favorite preserves just off center of dough circle. Wet edge of circle with a little water and then fold dough over filling and seal edges with the tines of a fork. Bake at 350? on a lightly greased cookie sheet until pastries are a light golden brown (about 10 minutes).