Best Butter Cookies
Makes 3 dozen (2-inch) cookies

Prep Time: 1 hrs.
Chilling time: 2 hrs.
Baking time: 6 min.
Cooling time: 15 min.
Standing time: 6 hrs.

Ingredients

• Cookie Ingredients
  • 1 cup Butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Glaze Ingredients
  • 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter, softened
  • 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract , if desired
  • Food color, if desired
  • Decorator candies, sugars, etc., if desired

Directions

1. In a large mixer bowl, combine 1 cup butter, sugar and egg.
2. Beat at medium speed, until creamy.
3. Add orange juice and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
4. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
5. Reduce speed to low.
6. Add flour and baking powder; beat, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
7. Divide dough into thirds and shape each third into a ball on plastic food wrap.
8. Wrap in plastic food wrap and flatten to 1/2 inch.
9. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours until firm.

1. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-third at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Cut with cookie cutters.
3. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 6 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
5. Cool completely.
6. In a small mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, water, 1 tablespoon butter, corn syrup and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
7. Mix until powdered sugar is moistened.
8. Beat at medium speed until smooth, adding additional water if necessary, to reach desired glazing consistency.
9. Tint with food color, if desired.
10. Glaze cooled cookies. Add decorator candies, if desired. Let stand until glaze hardens (6 hours or overnight).