Brown Sugar Cutout Cookies

Name: Brown Sugar Cutout Cookies
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 7-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2 cups packed dark brown sugar; 3 large eggs; 6 tablespoons cold water; 3 tablespoons canola oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 6 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; ICING:; 1 cup butter, softened; 4 teaspoons meringue powder; 3 teaspoons cream of tartar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 4 to 6 tablespoons water

Our neighbor made these for me when I was little, and now I make them for my kids, grandkids and for the children at school. Serve them with milk for the kids and tea for the grown-ups. —Nancy Lynch, Somerset, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
6 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
ICING:
1 cup butter, softened
4 teaspoons meringue powder
3 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups confectioners' sugar
4 to 6 tablespoons water

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, water, oil and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
Divide dough into four portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/4-in. fluted square cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake 7-9 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For icing, in a small bowl, beat butter, meringue powder, cream of tartar and salt until blended. Beat in confectioners' sugar alternately with enough water to reach a spreading consistency. Spread over cookies. Let stand until set.