Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium size bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.
Add eggs, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and food coloring and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt).
Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until you form a large dough ball--don't overmix. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Lightly flour your counter top. Roll dough ball out until 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick.
Cut the dough into shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes. Cookies should still be soft when you take them out, but not doughy. (Don’t overcook or they will be hard!) Allow to cool and frost once cooled.
For the frosting
Cream together butter and creamy cheese until smooth and light. Add vanilla and mix.
Add enough powdered sugar to reach a good frosting consistency.
Notes
*I use 1 tsp red gel food coloring and 1 tsp liquid red food coloring