3/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. shortening
6 tbsp. butter, softened
1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

ICING:

2 c. confectioners' sugar
2-3 tbsp. water
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla, lemon extract or 1 tsp. almond extract
Food coloring

Cream sugar, shortening, butter until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir flour, baking powder and salt together in separate bowl then add to creamed mixture. Stir until well blended. Cover and chill at least 3 hours. Use 1/4 dough at a time on lightly floured surface, roll to 1/8". Cut with cookie cutters. Bake ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees about 6 to 8 minutes until set, not browned. Yield: 4 dozen.

ICING: Mix ingredients, add more water until icing is slightly runny. Use small paint brushes or popsicle sticks. Allow one color to dry before using another. Add decors while icing is wet. Valentine's Day use heart cutters and peppermint extract. Easter: cross or egg shapes. Halloween: pumpkin shapes.