Cooking with Ben: Christmas Cutouts

Ben says "Hello blog pals and welkom to Ben's keetchun! Today we a goeeng to make Kristmus cutout kookies!" In fact the recipe comes from Papa's grandmother. We're included the recipe below, and the cookies are best when you frost and decorate them. We sometimes have a cookie decorating party with friends because you can get a lot of decorating done fast. "The bezt part iz eating them!" says Jerry. We hope you enjoy them. What is your favorite holiday cookie recipe?

Ben's Christmas Cutouts

Mix together:
3 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
1 level teaspoon baking soda
1 level teaspoon salt

Add 1.5 cups of Crisco Shortening, work into the dough like a pie crust.

To the dough (best to use your hands to mix), add:
2 beaten eggs
3 tablespoons of milk
1.5 teaspoons of vanilla
1 teaspoon of cream of tarter

Refrigerate dough well, overnight is best. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees (fahrenheit for our European pals). Roll out the dough rather thinly on a lightly floured board or surface. Work in batches while keeping the rest of the dough chilled. If the dough becomes too sticky, try not add additional flour (that makes the cookies tougher); rather re-chill dough.

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes; watch carefully as the cookies brown quickly. Best to let the cookie edges just begin to turn a slight tan, then quickly remove them from the oven.

Ben's Butter Frosting

1/2 stick of butter (8 tablespoons), softened to room temperature
pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar
approx 3 tablespoons of milk or cream

1 teaspoon of your favorite flavoring or extract (vanilla, peppermint, anise, etc.) Papa's grandmother always used anise, it is yummy!
a drop or two of food coloring, optional

Beat mixture together until creamy. Add a bit more milk or powdered sugar, if needed, to obtain the right consistency. Frost cookies and decorate with your favorite sprinkles. Store cookies in the refrigerator.