Cooking : Brown Sugar Cut-Out Cookies and Icing

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup milk
1 cup butter, very soft
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
confectioners' sugar
splash of milk

Directions
In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda; stir into creamed mixture. Mix in milk, stirring until a soft dough forms. Cover, and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in a preheated oven for 6 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla until it becomes smooth and creamy. Gradually stir in sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in a splash of milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate. Spread icing on top of cookies.