Betty Randall's Christmas Cookies

Suzanna Marie's Note:

My husband absolutely loves these cookies. They puff up nicely, and the icing just tops them off. Decorate quickly before icing sets.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 42 mins
• Prep Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 30

Yield: 60.0 cookies

• 5 cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup Crisco
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl sift together flour, soda and salt.
3. In another large bowl, mix sugar, shortening, eggs and vanilla until creamy and light.
4. Add buttermilk and dry ingredients alternately to the sugar/shortening mixture; mix well.
5. Wrap and chill dough about 3 hours before rolling out.
6. Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cookies will be soft.
7. Cut out with favorite cutters.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Don't let them get too brown.
9. Remove to wire rack.
10. When cool, frost with favorite cookie icing; decorate immediately.