Holiday Cutout Cookies

Name: Holiday Cutout Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: about 10 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup shortening; 3 cups sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 6 tablespoons evaporated milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons almond extract; 6 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; FROSTING:; 3 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 to 6 tablespoons half-and-half cream; Food coloring of your choice, optional; Assorted sprinkles

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 5 min./batch YIELD: about 10 dozen.

The only limit to these fun cutouts is your cookie cutter collection and your imagination! If you prefer crisp cookies, sprinkle with colored sugar before baking and skip the frosting. My family loves these easy holiday cookies! —Anne Grisham, Henderson, Nevada

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
6 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 6 tablespoons half-and-half cream
Food coloring of your choice, optional
Assorted sprinkles

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough into four portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate, covered, overnight or until firm enough to roll.
2. Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. holiday cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake until edges are lightly brown, 5-7 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. In a large bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough cream to reach a spreading consistency. If desired, beat in food coloring. Frost and decorate cookies as desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 87 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.