Summary: I got this wonderful recipe from my mother-in-law, Claire, who makes dozens of batches every year for any occasion. They are lovely and light, and without thinking, you can eat a ton of them!

Yield: depending on how thickly/thinly you roll out your dough and the size of your cookie cutters, this recipe makes anywhere from 3 - 4 dozen

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
1 cup unrefined, granulated sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
2½ - 3 cups sifted flour

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the baking powder and salt until well combined and then, in small increments, add in the sifted flour.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out your dough to 1/8" thickness. It helps to use a pastry cloth rolling pin cover.

Use your favorite cookie cutters to shape the cookies. If using sprinkles or colored sugar to decorate, do so before putting the cookies in the oven. Frosting should be applied after they're baked and cooled.

Bake 8-10 minutes, or until a delicate golden brown.