Sugar Cookies Cutouts

I get so many requests for these cookies. I usually triple the dough recipe, but do a single batch of the frosting. I like my cookies thick and soft! (Daniel decorated the ones in the picture. The green one is a tennis ball!)

Ingredients:

1/3 Cup margarine or butter

1/3 Cup shortening

2 Cups flour

1 egg

3/4 Cup sugar

1 Tbs. milk

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

Dash salt

Directions:

Beat margarine and shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add about half of the flour, the egg, sugar, milk, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. Beat till thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover; chill for 3 hours.

On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time 1/2 inch think. Cut into desired shapes. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Cool cookies on a rack. When cool frost cookies with frosting.

Frosting recipe:

1/3 cup margarine or butter

4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

In a bowl beat butter till fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in the milk and vanilla. Slowly beat in remaining sugar. Beat in additional milk, if needed, to make of spreading consistency. Tint with food coloring, if desired.