# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g)
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (345 g)
06 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Rolling and Decorating
08 - Additional flour, for rolling
09 - Royal icing, colored sugars, or sprinkles (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
02 - Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until fully combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
05 - Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to a thickness of ¼ inch (6 mm). Use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes.
08 - Place cutouts on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
09 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until edges are just beginning to turn golden.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Add royal icing, colored sugars, or sprinkles as desired once cookies have cooled.
