Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Butter
Place 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened unsalted butter in a bowl. Use a spatula to smooth it out until it’s creamy.
3. Add Sugar
Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to the butter. Mix until the sugar and butter are fully combined and the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Combine Flour and Salt
Sift 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt together. Gradually add this to the butter mixture, folding gently to combine.
5. Add Vanilla
Mix in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until a cohesive dough forms.
6. Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
7. Roll Out the Dough
Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
8. Cut Shapes
Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into your desired shapes.
9. Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place the cutout cookies on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.
10. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Optional: Dust with Sugar
Once cooled, you can optionally dust the cookies with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.