sugar cookie recipe

Shirley's Sugar Cookies
2 cups shortening (I buy the crisco sticks...they are great!)
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
12 TBS milk
2 TBS baking powder
5-6 cups flour
1 heaping tsp salt
Directions:
Cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs, vanilla and milk. Mix. Add baking powder and salt, mix. Add Flour until dough is pliable. it may not take all 6 cups. You want it a little sticky. 
Sprinkle flour on counter top and roll out your cookies. I like to do them a little thick so they don't burn. It just depends on whether you prefer crisp or soft. cut into desired shapes and Bake at 350 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden on the bottom. Even if it feels like you've taken them out too soon they will firm up when cool. 

Icing
4T meringue powder
1/2 cup of water
7-8 cups confectioner's sugar
1 t vanilla
2 T crisco
2 T light corn syrup

whip the meringue powder and the water on high speed for a long time until it's fluffy and peaks form.  Gradually add the rest of the ingredients.

slowly add water if needed to get the consistency you need:

For piping you want it the consistency of toothpaste
for flooding the consistency of honey