Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a separate large bowl, beat shortening and sugar together on medium speed until smooth. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla until completely combined. Gradually add flour mixture on low speed until well combined.

Divide dough in two pieces. Starting with the first dough piece, roll out o about ¼ inch thickness and cut your donut shapes. You will need one large, about 3-4in circle cookie cutter and a small for the center, about 1 inch. Place on prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown very slightly. For crispier cookies, bake a few minutes longer. Cool for 5 minutes on pan before transferring to a wire rack to finish.

To prepare royal icing, Whisk egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth. Whisk in water, corn syrup and vanilla. Add more or less water as needed. The consistency should be on the thicker side rather than runny so you can use this icing for piping the edge and flooding the inside of the cookie icing. Ice cookies when they are completely cool.