Sugar Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

I became a sugar cookie pro and frosting expert this week in preparation for baby girl's birthday party! Below is the best cookie recipe, and the Lemon frosting was a hit. There is also a great swiss meringue buttercream recipe over at Our Best Bites. Check out more pics from the party HERE.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 (8 oz) pkg Cream Cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup Butter

2 tsp Lemon Extract

4 cups Powdered Sugar

Zest of 1 Lemon

Combine cream cheese and butter with electric hand mixer or in stand mixer. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix until smooth. Add lemon extract and zest and mix until incorporated. *Add up to 2 tablespoons of milk if it's too thick for your liking.*

Lion House Sugar Cookies:

1 1/2 cups Sugar

2/3 Butter flavor Crisco

2 beaten Eggs

2 tablespoons Milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla

3 cups Flour

2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon Salt

Cream together sugar and shortening. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients combining thoroughly. With hands, shape dough into a ball, wrap with cling wrap, and refrigerate about an hour. Roll out on floured surface until 1/2"-1/3" thick. Cut out desired shapes. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes or until center is cooked but the bottom is not yet browned.

Carmel Icing

Happy Birthday to me!

Grandma Stahle's Recipe!

1 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/3 cup Evaporated Milk

3 tablespoons Butter

1 teaspoon Vanilla

Powdered Sugar

Combine brown sugar , salt and milk in saucepan. Bring to boiling point. Turn heat back to medium and cook about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Cool slightly. Add powdered sugar until of spreading consistency. Beat until smooth.

Tastes like the frosting on maple bars...So good on chocolate cupcakes!