3/4 c. Crisco
3/4 c. butter, softened
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. sugar
5 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Combine dry ingredients. Cream butter, Crisco, eggs, vanilla and sugar until creamy. Gradually beat in dry mixture. Place dough in refrigerator at least 2 to 3 hours. Roll out dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.

Bake at 400°F for 9 to 11 minutes. Use icing recipe to frost when cool or sprinkle cookies with sugar while still warm.

Icing:

1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. Crisco
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
5-1/2 c. powdered sugar
approximately 1/4 c. milk

Combine all icing ingredients except milk and gradually add milk until spreading consistency.