COOKIES:

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
5 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

ICING:

4 cups powdered sugar
4-5 tbsp. milk
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, cream butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, chill overnight.

Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Add more flour as needed. Cut dough into shapes.

Place 1-inch apart on baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for 6-8 minutes. Cool completely.

In bowl with mixer on low, combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix until well blended, adding more milk if icing is too thick, or more powdered sugar if icing is too thin.

Using a small spatula, spread a thin layer of icing atop each cookie. Decorate as you like.

Submitted by: Sherry Monfils