Frosted Cutout Sugar Cookies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons half-and-half cream
• Food coloring, optional
• Colored sugar, optional
• Decorating candies, optional

1. Combine flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until crumbly. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla; add to flour mixture and mix well. Divide dough into three balls; cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 325u0b0. Remove one portion of dough from the refrigerator at a time. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased
3. . Repeat with remaining dough.
4. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
5. For frosting, cream butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough cream to achieve spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Frost cookies. Decorate with colored sugar and candies if desired.

allpurpose, sugar, baking soda, salt, shortening, cold butter, eggs, milk, vanilla, butter, sugar, vanilla, cream, coloring, colored sugar, decorating candies

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/frosted-cutout-sugar-cookies/ (may not work)