Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

These are great for any holiday, but I especially like to make them for Christmas or Valentine's Day. Plan ahead, the dough has to be refrigerated for about 1 hour before rolling. Prep time does not include chilling time.

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 54
• Yields: 4 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup shortening
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  cup sour cream
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4  cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Frosting

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 9  cups confectioners' sugar
• 3  teaspoons vanilla extract or 3  teaspoons  almond extract
• 2⁄3-3⁄4 cup milk
•  paste  food coloring

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg, sour cream and vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
4. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
6. Cut with a floured 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter or the cutter of your choice.
7. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheets lightly coated with cooking spray.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set.
9. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
10. For frosting, in large mixing bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy.
11. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla.
12. Add enough milk to achieve desired consistency.
13. Tint with food coloring.
14. Decorate cookies as desired.