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Iced Sugar Cookies

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Servings 3 dozen

Ingredients
  

For Cookies

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

For Icing

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 5 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • food coloring and sanding sugar optional

Instructions
 

For Cookies

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  • Mix flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
  • Do not chill dough. Divide dough into 2 balls.
  • On floured surface, roll each ball into a circle approximately 12 inches in diameter by 1/8 inch thick.
  • Dip cookie cutter in flour before each use.
  • Bake cookies on ungreased or parchment-lined cookie sheet 8 to 11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.
  • Allow cookies to cool before decorating.

For Icing

  • Cream shortening and butter together with electric mixer (do not melt).
  • Add vanilla.
  • Gradually add confectioners’ sugar one cup at a time.
  • Blend completely after each cup of confectioners’ sugar addition, until all cups are incorporated.
  • Icing will become quite dry and stiff.
  • Add milk.
  • Keep covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.