Painted Sour-Cream Sugar Cookies

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.

Step 2: Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.

Step 3: Beat in sour cream, egg, vanilla, and lemon peel until combined.

Step 4: Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.

Step 5: Divide dough in half. Cover and chill dough for 1 to 2 hours or until easy to handle.

Step 6: Preheat oven to 375°F.

Step 7: On a well-floured surface roll half of the dough at a time until 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Step 8: Using desired cookie cutters, cut out dough.

Step 9: Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Step 10: Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very light brown.

Step 11: Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

Step 12: For frosting, combine all icing ingredients in a bowl and beat till smooth. Tint as desired

Step 13: Spread tops of cooled cookies with Icing.

Step 14: Allow icing to dry completely.

Step 15: Using a small paintbrush, paint designs on each cookie with food coloring.