CREAMING BUTTER AND SUGAR FOR COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine butter, sugar, and egg in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour, orange juice, vanilla, and baking powder. Beat until well mixed. Divide dough into thirds. Wrap in plastic wrap and shape into disks. Refrigerate until firm (about 2-3 hours).
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. On lightly floured surface roll out dough, 1/3 at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated). Roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with decorative sugars if you don't plan on frosting them. Bake 6-10 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned. Cool completely.
• Frost or decorate as desired.
• Preparation time does not include time in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. Gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. , For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring. Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; transfer frosting to bag. Pipe decorations. Sprinkle with colored sugar.
  Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies, layered between waxed paper, in freezer containers. To use, thaw and decorate as desired.