brown sugar cut-out cookies and icing

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup milk
• icing:
• 1 cup butter, very soft
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• confectioners' sugar
• splash of milk

Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 6 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 31 mins


• in a large bowl, stir together 1 cup butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. in a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda; stir into creamed mixture. mix in milk, stirring until a soft dough forms. cover, and chill for 1 hour.
• preheat oven to 365 degrees f (185 degrees c). on a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• bake in a preheated oven for 6 minutes. cool on wire racks.
• meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla until it becomes smooth and creamy. gradually stir in sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. beat in a splash of milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. keep icing covered until ready to decorate. spread icing on top of cookies.