Recipe: Best Ever Butter Cookies

BEST EVER BUTTER COOKIES

These crisp, tender, buttery cut-out cookies can be decorated to capture the spirit of any season.

FOR THE COOKIES:
1 cup Land O Lakes butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
FOR THE FROSTING:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup Land O Lakes butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

TO PREPARE THE DOUGH:
Combine 1 cup butter, sugar and egg in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add orange juice and vanilla; mix well. Reduce speed to low; add flour and baking powder. Beat until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds; wrap in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (2 to 3 hours).

TO SHAPE AND BAKE THE COOKIES:
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-third at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place 1-inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 6 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely.

TO MAKE THE FROSTING:
Combine powdered sugar, 1/3 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often and adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency.

Frost and decorate cooled cookies as desired..

Yield: 3 dozen cookies
Source: Land O Lakes

Donna:)