Soft Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

6 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup lard (or butter)

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups sour cream

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking soda.  Set aside.  Using a mixer, cream together lard (butter) and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Beat in vanilla and sour cream.  Mix sifted flour to beaten mixture until fully incorporated.  

Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut out shapes.  Place on a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 7 minutes or until edges of cookies are light brown.

Buttercream Frosting

1 1/2 cups butter at room temperature

2 lbs powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup whole milk (or half and half)

Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth.  Beat in about two cups of powdered sugar.  Beat in salt and vanilla and a little milk.  Beat in the rest of the powdered sugar and slowly pour in the rest of the milk.  Color with food coloring.