Cut-out Sugar Cookies

Description

 * Preparation time: 15 minutes | chill time: 2 hours | bake time: 7 – 9 minutes
 * Makes 3 dozen cookies (depending on size and shape)

Ingredients

 * ⅔ cup butter-flavor Crisco
 * ¾ cup sugar
 * 1 tbsp + 1 teaspoon milk
 * 1 tsp vanilla
 * 1 egg
 * 2 cup all purpose flour
 * 1½ tsp baking powder
 * ¼ tsp salt

Creamy vanilla frosting

 * ½ cup butter-flavor Crisco
 * 1 pound (4 cups) confectioners' sugar
 * ⅓ cup milk
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla
 * 1 or 2 drops food color can be used to tint each cup of frosting

Directions

 * 1) Cream butter flavor Crisco, sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.
 * 2) Beat in egg.
 * 3) Combine flour, baking powder and salt.
 * 4) Mix into creamed mixture.
 * 5) Cover and refrigerate several hours to overnight.
 * 6) Heat oven to 375°F.
 * 7) Roll half the dough at a time to about ⅛ inch thickness on floured surface.
 * 8) Cut in desired shapes.
 * 9) Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.
 * 10) Sprinkle with colored sugar and decors or leave plain to frost when cool.
 * 11) Bake at 375°F for 7 to 9 minutes.
 * 12) Cool slightly.
 * 13) Remove to cooling rack.

Creamy vanilla frosting

 * 1) Combine Crisco, confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla in medium bowl at low speed of electric mixer until well blended.
 * 2) Scrape bowl.
 * 3) Beat at high speed for 2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.
 * 4) Frost cooled cookies.
 * 5) Note: frosting works well in decorating tube.

Variations

 * Lemon or orange cookie variation: add 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel or orange peel and 1 teaspoon lemon or orange extract to step 1'
 * Lemon or orange cookie frosting variation: eliminate milk. Add ⅓ cup lemon or orange juice. Add 1 teaspoon orange peel with orange juice.