J.L.
I have what you are looking for. When I make these cookies and take them to work my General manager and Finance Officer literally fight each other to eat them. I have to hide them from them so others will get some. They are gone in about 5 mins. Here you go:
Cookies:
1/2 cup sugar
1 stick butter (you can let this come close to room temp but DO NOT microwave.
2 eggs
2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla (you can sub lemon extract or almond extract for this. I personally don't care for the lemon but that is how my aunt makes them and everyone else still likes them)
Cream butter and sugar. mix in vanilla(or other flavor). beat in eggs. add flour about 1/2 cup at a time total of 2 1/2 cups (the rest will be for rolling) Mix until blended and smooth. I do use and electric hand mixer. Now you will need to chill the dough covered at least 3-4 hours or overnight. (I do it overnight) After chilling preheat oven to 350-375 depending on your baking sheets. Darker baking sheets need more time at a lower temp. Grab a big handful of dough and work it with your hands alittle bit and roll out on a floured surface to a bout 1/4 inch thickness. It will rise when baking but the get a good thick cookie like in the store it needs to be at least 1/4 inch. cut with cookie cutters place on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 min. if you use a large cookie cutter it may be a little longer. when the edges are a little brown they are done. remove from the oven let cool for a minute and remove to a cooling rack. let them cool completely before decorating. After each rolling/cutting grab another hunk of dough to keep the consistency and the low temp. when you get to the last bit go ahead and keep rolling out again until you can;t make any more cookies. these last ones may thin out a little more in the oven but if you only have to roll out a couple more times they should be fine.
Cookie icing:
1/2 cup shortning
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla (you can also use almond or lemon)
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tblsp milk
cream butter, shrotning and vanilla together. Add powdered sugar gradually. add milk. this is the wilton recipe for cake decorating. it does work better to use their gel dyes if you need a dark or vibrant color. But they are only about a dollar at walmart.
Cream cheese Icing:
8 oz soften cream cheese
1 or 2 sticks of room temp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 cups powdered sugar
combine all the ingredients add more or less butter, more or less powdered sugar for desired taste or consistency. if you want thinner icing add some milk.
I have never used the cream cheese icing on the cookies (didn't know if thats what you wanted it for or not) but it is excellent on cinnamon rolls or even brownies.
I tried to be as detailed as possible but of course I make these all the time so it all makes sense to me. If you have any questions or if something is not too clear pleae let me know and I will be happy to help. Happy baking.
