Soft Italian Sugar Cookies

• 3/4 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ICING
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• food coloring (optional)
• colored crystal sugar (optional)

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt together (I use a whisk) and gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
4. Shape dough into 1-1/2" balls.
5. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. Remove to wire racks to cool after 2 minutes.
8. ****FOR ICING****.
9. In a small bowl, combine the milk, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
10. Tint with food coloring (I prefer the gel) if desired.
11. ****DECORATING****.
12. Dip the cooled cookies into the icing.
13. Sprinkle with colored sugars if desired.
14. Place on waxed paper until icing is set.

shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, icing, milk, butter, vanilla extract, sugar, food coloring, colored crystal sugar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/soft-italian-sugar-cookies-277365 (may not work)