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.