Paula Deen's Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• food coloring (optional)

Recipe

• 1 beat butter until soft and creamy. gradually add sugar, beat well. add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
• 2 combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, mix well. cover and chill for 1 hour. preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
• 3 divide dough in half, roll 1 portion on a well floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. cut with cookie cutters and place on sheets. sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired. repeat with 2nd portion.
• 4 bake for 10 minutes, cool 2 minutes on sheets, then move to wire racks. when completely cooled, decorate with icing.
• 5 for the icing, whisk together all the ingredients, add food coloring as desired. makes 3/4 cup.