Soft Italian Sugar Cookies

This is a bit different than the other recipe on this site as it does not use buttermilk and has a lot less sugar. Found it in a Simple & Delicious magazine.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup shortening
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 3  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3  cups flour
• 3  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• ICING

• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 2  tablespoons butter, melted
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups confectioners' sugar
•  food coloring (optional)
•  colored crystal sugar (optional)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt together (I use a whisk) and gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
4. Shape dough into 1-1/2" balls.
5. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. Remove to wire racks to cool after 2 minutes.
8. ****FOR ICING****.
9. In a small bowl, combine the milk, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
10. Tint with food coloring (I prefer the gel) if desired.
11. ****DECORATING****.
12. Dip the cooled cookies into the icing.
13. Sprinkle with colored sugars if desired.
14. Place on waxed paper until icing is set.