3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) real butter (no substitutes!)
1 tbsp. vanilla
4 tsp. milk

Icing:

1/2 cup (1 stick) real butter
1 (1 lb.) box confectioners' sugar
4 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 to 3 drops of food coloring may be added for color (optional)

Sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Mix in a different bowl, sugar, eggs, shortening, butter, vanilla and milk. Add this mixture to flour mixture. Mix all ingredients well, roll into a ball and chill dough.

Take out and roll into 1/4-inch thickness and cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Bake at 350°F degrees until lightly browned. Do not over bake or cookies will become hard. Cool and ice with frosting. Let icing "dry" before storing.

Submitted by: Mary "Grandma" Durham