Aunt Diane's Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookies

by Aunt Diane

3/4 cup soft shortening (or butter)

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking powder

Icing: Fresh powered sugar, milk, vanilla extract and food coloring

Mix well shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.  Beat well. Stir in baking powder and salt.  Stir in flour one cup at a time.  Stir into a ball so it all sticks together.  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.

Heat oven to 400 degrees (350 if you want them to be light colored).  Roll out 1/4 of dough at a time to be 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured board.  Cut out shapes, then place on baking sheet sprayed with non stick spray.  Bake 6 to 8 minutes until set but not brown.  Place on rack to cool before icing.