String Of Pearls Volume 2 February 2014 | Page 21

The Best Butter Cookies!

The Best Butter Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture; mix well.

Divide dough into two equal pieces; form into a ball and then flatten. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least three hours.

Roll out dough, one piece at a time, on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Keep remaining dough refrigerated. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters and place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes* or until lightly browned at 375 degrees. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool before frosting.

*They may require a longer cooking time on air-insulated baking sheets.

Yield: 2-2 1/2 dozen

Frosting for Cookies

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add milk and vanilla, mixing until smooth.

Yield: about 1 cup

Enjoy!

-Danielle Holcombe