Paula Deen'S Chocolate Sugar Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring (optional)

Preparation

Beat butter until soft and creamy. Gradually add sugar, beat well. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, mix well. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
Divide dough in half, roll 1 portion on a well floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place on sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired. Repeat with 2nd portion.
Bake for 10 minutes, cool 2 minutes on sheets, then move to wire racks. When completely cooled, decorate with icing.
For the icing, whisk together all the ingredients, add food coloring as desired. Makes 3/4 cup.