Paula Deen's Chocolate Sugar Cookies

I've never seen these before, but sounded good. She frosted her cookies with pink icing. From Paula's magazine Jan/Feb 2006. Prep time includes chill time.

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Yields: 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 2  cups sugar
• 3  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 1⁄4 cups flour
• 3⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• Icing

• 2  cups powdered sugar
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Beat butter until soft and creamy. Gradually add sugar, beat well. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, mix well. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
3. Divide dough in half, roll 1 portion on a well floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place on sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired. Repeat with 2nd portion.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, cool 2 minutes on sheets, then move to wire racks. When completely cooled, decorate with icing.
5. For the icing, whisk together all the ingredients, add food coloring as desired. Makes 3/4 cup.