Famiy Cut-Out Cookies

COOKIES: combine in large mixing bowl: shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

combine separately: milk and baking soda.

combine separately: flour, baking powder and salt.

mix 2 & 3 into 1 (the large mixing bowl with the eggs), and mix WELL.

cover and chill in fridge at least 1 hour, or overnight and do PART 2 tomorrow :).

pull out a portion of the dough to roll out on FLOURED countertop.

use your favorite shapes cookie cutters and cut away! (be sure to keep flouring counter or your dough will STICK.no fun -- ).

bake cookies at 400 for 6-8 minutes (keep an eye on them, cookies baked later on won't take as long as first couple of batches).

ICING: you can do this as soon as cookies are cool or wait until another day.

mix 1/4 cup milk and 1/2 t salt first.

add shortening, vanilla, and powdered sugar.

you can always add more milk and powdered sugar until you get desired consistency.

we don't like it too runny, so we go for the "peanut butter/toothpaste" feel.

split the icing up into several smaller bowls and mix in your colors!

then ice and decorate with the family - one of my favorite memories (do the decorating on flat, shallow pans with sides so the sprinkles stay in the pan.then you can transfer the cookies to a countertop to 'dry' before storing).

these cookies do fabulous in the freezer -- so get 'em done early :).