Harry Potter Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Combine flour, sugar, vegetable shortening, salt, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Mix in the softened butter, then fold in the cream cheese until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.

If the dough is too soft, gradually add up to an additional half cup of flour until it can be handled.

Divide the dough, shape it into a log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Remove the chilled dough, cut it into four portions, and roll each portion on a floured surface to a thickness suitable for cutting.

Use the Harry Potter themed cookie cutters to cut shapes, then gently press the two‑part cutters together to stamp details.

Transfer the stamped cookies to parchment‑lined baking sheets and bake at 275°F (275°F) for 7–9 minutes, or until lightly golden; adjust time for thickness as needed.

Cool the cookies on a rack for a few minutes, then allow them to fully cool before decorating.

Pipe red icing and black icing onto the cooled cookies to create Harry Potter symbols and details.