Super Sugar Cookies With Creamy Frosting

This is a recipe my grandmother gave to me to make for my children. I use it every Christmas for my children's school mates.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 7 mins
• Serves: 36-48
• Yields: 36-48 cookies

Ingredients

•  cookie
• 1⁄3 cup butter or 1⁄3 cup margarine
• 1⁄3 cup shortening
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
•  creamy  frosting (optional)
• 1  cup shortening
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 1⁄2 cups  sifted powdered sugar
• 3 -4  tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Cookies.
2. Beat butter and shortening on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
3. Add sugar, baking powder, and a dash of salt.
4. Beat until combined, scraping bowl.
5. Beat in egg and vanilla.
6. Beat in as much of flour as you can with mixer.
7. Stir in remaining flour.
8. Divide dough in half. If necessary, cover and chill dough for 3 hours or until easy to handle.
9. Roll onto a lightly floured surface, roll half at a time to 1/8 inch thick.
10. Using a 2 1/2-inch cookie or biscuit cutter, cut into desired shapes.
11. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
12. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned.
13. Cool on a rack
14. Creamy Frosting.
15. Beat shortening, vanilla, and extract with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.
16. Slowly add half of the powdered sugar, beating well.
17. Add 2 Tablespoons of the milk.
18. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar and enough remaining milk to reach spreading consistency.
19. You can add food coloring but remember to reduce milk slightly.