Sugar Cookies (EASY) & Buttercream Frosting (EASY)

This is the BEST sugar cookie recipe EVER! It comes out perfect every time and everyone that has them loves them!

This is from my mother-in-law. We make them for every holiday. Right now I'm doing them for Halloween for our playgroup on Monday -- hopefully there will be some left by Monday :)

Sugar Cookies (EASY)

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup margarine (I use butter)

Cream the above together.

Beat in 2 eggs, 3 tablesppons of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (this is what makes them the best, you MUST use this)

3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine these together, then add it to the above mix. Divide the dough into two and tightly wrap them in saran wrap and chill for at least a few hours. We actually make ours the night before and it works out even better.

Roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut into your desired shapes. Add the refrigerated dough to the dough you have already cut to make the best cookies.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING (EASY)

This is from Betty Crocker.

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine softened (I use butter and that tastes the best)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or until the desired consistency (it doens't take much!)

That is the basic recipe, BUT for these sugar cooies, we add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to this too and it is THE best!

Enjoy!