Best Butter Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

• 2 cups (4 sticks) butter; softened
• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Buttercream Icing:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter; softened
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cream or milk

Directions

Cookies: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture; mix well. Divide dough in fourths. Roll out one-fourth of dough at a time on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Keep remaining dough refrigerated. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on unbuttered cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate as desired. Store in cool place in airtight metal containers up to 1 month. Freeze up to 3 months.

Buttercream Icing: Cream butter and salt together; add sugar and stir briskly. Stir in cream or milk and beat well. Add additional sugar or milk if necessary for spreading consistency. Makes 1 cup icing.

Yield: Approx. 2 dozen cookies

Source: Recipes from Famous Inns/Seasonal Celebrations-DMI. Reprinted with permission of Dairy Management, Inc.