Christmas (anytime) Cookies

Ahh... the sweet smell of baking sugar and butter, the tantalizing shapes and the pretty, pretty colors. These cookies are so good they've caused friends to steal (let's not mention names). People request the recipe from time to time so I thought I'd put it the up while I was thinking of it for the holidays.

So this one goes out to Crack O' Dawn, who got the short end of the stick once when I was in a hurry and forgot to tell her to add the milk. Sorry Dawn.

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The Sugar Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
6 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon milk

Preheat to 375� degrees

Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. In a seperate bowl beat butter and shortening together for 30 seconds; add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients to beaten mixture 1/3 at a time, beating till well combined. Cover and chill at least 3 hours. Working with 1/4 dough at a time, on a lightly floured surface roll to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375� degree oven for 8 minutes or till done. Makes about 24 good sized cookies.

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The Frosting

3 tablespoons butter
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups sifted powered sugar
1/8 cup milk
3/4 teaspoons vanilla

In a medium sized mixing bowl beat butter till light and fluffy. Gradually add about half of the powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in the milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar, then additional milk, if necessary to make frosting of spreading consistency. Add food coloring as desired.

Hint:

Remember that the cookie dough needs to be chilled, stone cold, so it�s best to do it the night before the day you�d like to make the cookies.