Frosted Shortbread

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter

1/2 cup lard or shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 dash salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

cup shortening

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

milk, if needed

food coloring, if desired

Preparation

Beat butter and lard or shortening in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer for 30 seconds.

Add sugar, vanilla, cream of tartar, almond extract and salt; beat till well combined. Beat in as much flour as you can. Stir in enough flour to make a stiff dough.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet. Press your thumb in the center of each. Bake in a 400 degree oven about 8 to 9 minutes or till bottoms are lightly browned and edges are set.

Let stand on baking sheet for 1 minute. Remove and cool on wire rack. Pipe colored Creamy Frosting into thumbprints.

To make frosting, beat shortening till fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in milk and vanilla. Slowly beat in 2 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar. Beat in additional milk if necessary, to make of piping consistency. Add a few drops of desired food coloring.