Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 0.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 cups shortening
• 1 pound confectioners' sugar
• 5 tablespoons water
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoons butter flavored extract

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, mix together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture until well blended using a sturdy spoon. Chill dough for 2 hours.

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. 3

   Bake for 4 to 6 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cookies from pan and cool on wire racks.

4. 4

   Using an electric mixer, beat shortening, confectioners sugar, water, salt, vanilla extract, and butter flavoring until fluffy. Frost cookies after they have cooled completely.