Butter and Sugar Cut Out Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, no substitutions

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions: In a medium bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Mix in the flour mixture ½ cup at a time. Divide into four portions and place each on a large piece of plastic wrap. Form into disks and place in a large resealable bag. Chill for at least one hour or until ready to use (if chilling for more than 2 hours, set on the counter for 15 minutes to make it easier to roll). Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and roll one disk of dough at a time on a floured board to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out shapes and place on greased baking sheet (silpat or parchment paper are great here). Bake about 14 minutes, switching the sheets around, until light golden. Let cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate away!