This recipe came from Arlene's mother-in-law and was Paul's favorite cookie at Christmas time. Although you can make them any shape, for some reason they always taste better when shaped like Christmas trees.
With a mixer, cream butter and sugar thoroughly. Add egg and butter flavoring. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Slowly add to butter mixture. Place dough in a zip top bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out a portion of dough on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated). Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake cookies for 6 to 10 minutes or ur1til the edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.
Frosting
Mix 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla in small mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, adding enough milk (3 tablespoons) and scraping bowl often, to reach desired spreading consistency. Decorate cookies with frosting and sprinkle with colored sugars. Makes about 4 dozen depending on the size cookie cutter you use. Enjoy!