Perfect Butter Cookies

Certainly! Here's a simple recipe for classic Butter Cookies:

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2. 1 cup granulated sugar
3. 1 large egg
4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5. 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
6. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
7. 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional for Decoration:

• Sprinkles, colored sugar, or chopped nuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla:
   • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Chill the Dough:
   • Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Chilled dough helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
7. Shape Cookies:
   • Roll the chilled dough into small balls or use cookie cutters to create desired shapes. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.
8. Decorate (Optional):
   • If desired, you can press each cookie with a fork, add sprinkles, colored sugar, or chopped nuts for decoration.
9. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just golden. Keep an eye on them, as baking times may vary.
10. Cool:
    • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Enjoy:
    1. Once cooled, these butter cookies are ready to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee!