The Best Butter Cookies

My friend Anne is known as the 'Cookie Lady" in our neighborhood.  Every Friday (without fail) she brings homemade cookies down to the bus stop for all the children (Parents too)!  All the kids in the neighborhood and those that just are lucky enough to ride this bus get a fresh, hot and gooey, chocolate chip cookie.  As the bus rounds the bend you can see the children's faces waiting in anticipation.  This really is down home Minnesota living at it's best!  I tell you this story because I'm not the 'Cookie Lady' but, once a year (Christmas time) I break out the rolling pin and make what we think are the BEST BUTTER COOKIES EVER!

2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 egg yolks
2 tsp. vanilla
4 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 350.  With as electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.  Add egg yolks and vanilla and continue to mix.  Mix flour and salt together and add to the wet ingredients.  When ready to bake roll out the cookie dough, cut into desired shape and place on a cookie sheet which is covered with parchment paper.  Bake for about 10 minutes (depending on your oven).  Do not allow to brown in the oven.  Once cool decorate with the below Cream Cheese Frosting!

Evelyn's Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup butter
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 pound powder sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Method:

Mix all ingredients together and apply to cookies.  Use any food coloring you wish!
These cookies also freeze nicely!