1 cup butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
½ tsp. salt
I. Cream butter. Add sugar, creaming until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
II. Combine dry ingredients. Add gradually to creamed mixture.
III. Chill dough 3-4 hours.
IV. Preheat oven to 375°.
V. Roll dough on well-floured surface to ⅛-¼ inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes.
VI. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 8 minutes, or until light golden color. Allow to cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet.
Frosting, if desired:
2-3 T. milk
¼ cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
½ tsp. vanilla
food coloring
I. Put milk and butter in a 2-cup glass measure and heat in the microwave until the milk comes to a boil.
II. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla to make a glaze. Add more powdered sugar if necessary. Add food coloring if desired.
Voice of Experience:
The measurements for the frosting are approximate. Boiling the milk makes for a glaze that sets up, so the cookies don't stick together.
Recipe source: The Internet, probably from allrecipes.com.