Halloween Butter Cookies

This is a terrific standby recipe.  If I don't know what to bake, I can always rely on butter cookies.  They work for all occasions.  Since Halloween is coming up in the next week, I decided on these fun shapes and colors to dress up the cookies.  They taste wonderful with or without the icing.  If I had more time I'd add some trim or something... but I think they look fun and I know they taste great.

This recipe is handed down to me from my mother.  It's pretty easy to follow.

BUTTER COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 1/2 - 5 cups of flour (not a full 5)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla

ICING:

3 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Dash of salt

DIRECTIONS:

Mix well.  Taking one or two handfuls at a time, roll out the dough.  Cut with cookie cutter, or use a juice glass top to cut.  Just press rim of glass into dough and form circles.

Bake at 325 for approximately 5-6 minutes.  They shouldn't be too brown on the edges.  I check the bottoms to make sure they are golden before taking them out. 

NOTE:
When rolling the dough, use a sheet of wax paper for the surface, sprinkle with flour, place the dough and sprinkle that with some flour.  Cover with a second piece of wax paper.  Use the rolling pin over that.  It just makes for easier rolling.

For the icing I use skim milk and it always comes out great.