Prep: 25 mins + chilling | Bake: 10 mins / Batch + cooling | Makes: about 5 1/2 dozen

Ingredients:

2 cups butter, softened

1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 large egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 /2 cups all-purpose flour

Frosting

3 tbsp butter, softened

1 tbsp shortening

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

4-5 tbsp 2% milk

Food coloring, optional

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4″ thickness. Cut with floured 3″ cookie cutters. Place 1″ apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set (do not brown). Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  3. For frosting, in a bowl, beat the butter, shortening and vanilla until blended. Beat in confectioners’ sugar and enough milk to reach spreading consistency; beat 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. If desired, beat in food coloring. Frost cookies. (Keep frosting covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.)