Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

This week's post is both a recipe and a "craft" idea . . . this year for Thanksgiving, I made sugar cookies and decorated them with our guests' names and used them as place cards. I saw a similar idea with stars decorated for Christmas. I'm definitely going to try to do this for Christmas too!

The recipe I've included is a great recipe, but it isn't for the faint of heart. If you're too rushed for time or have a lot going on, use your own sugar cookie recipe and still use the idea for the place cards.

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

2/3 c Butter-flavored Crisco
3/4 c sugar
1 Tsp plus 1 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

1. Combine Crisco, sugar, milk & vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg.

2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed until well blended. Cover & refrigerate several hours or overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out dough half at a time to about 1/4" thickness on a floured surface. (Try to roll the out the least amount possible.) Cut out with cookie cutter. Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with colored sugars or leave plain and frost when cooled.

4. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Remove immediately to wire racks. (There is a fine line. They need to be baked until done but taken out just before they get lightly brown. I let them sit a minute before putting them on the wire rack. I also alternate cookie sheets so one has time to cool in between.)

Icing: 2 c powdered sugar and 3 Tsp milk.

I included this picture of the Butter-flavored Crisco, so you would know what to look for when you go to the store. I am pretty sure it comes in a 3 pack.