Never-Fail Cutout Cookies

Name: Never-Fail Cutout Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: about 5 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 cups butter, softened; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 2 cups sugar; 2 large egg yolks, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 5 cups all-purpose flour; FROSTING:; 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 3 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 tablespoon shortening; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 to 5 tablespoons 2% milk; Food coloring of choice, optional; Assorted sprinkles or candies, optional

I have tried numerous recipes for cutout cookies over the years—this one is foolproof. My daughter and my granddaughter love making these for holidays and social events. Most of all, we enjoy decorating them. You can try almond flavoring or another flavoring of choice. This recipe is easily doubled. —Irene Palm, Mansfield, Ohio

Ingredients

2 cups butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
FROSTING:
3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons 2% milk
Food coloring of choice, optional
Assorted sprinkles or candies, optional

Directions

Beat butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Divide dough into 4 portions; shape each into a disk. Cover; refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. holiday cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake until edges are light golden, 12-14 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Spread or pipe over cookies. Decorate as desired.