Instructions

• Step 1: Whisk flour and salt In a small bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups of flour and salt together and set it aside.
• Step 2: Mix butter and sugar separately In a large bowl, mix together the butter and sugar with a fork until the mixture is light in color and fluffy.
• TIP: Step 2 is also called 'creaming.' To make this easier, bring your butter to room temperature before attempting to cream.
• Step 3: Add egg and vanilla Once the butter and sugar mixture is light and smooth, add the egg and vanilla and mix well to combine.
• Step 4: Add dry ingredients Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture being sure to combine fully, but do not over-mix.
• Step 5: Refrigerate dough When just mixed, split the dough into two and form two 5-6' disks, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator to cool before cutting.
• TIP: Give the dough at least an hour to chill, as this will make rolling out and cutting much easier.
• Step 6: Preheat oven Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees and line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone cooking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
• Step 7: Roll out dough Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of flour on a work surface, and using the rolling pin, roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Step 8: Cut into shapes Using your choice of cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes.
• Step 9: Transfer to baking sheet Transfer the cookies to your prepared baking sheet -- leave about 1' of space between each cookie.
• TIP: Any scraps of leftover dough can be rolled out one more time before becoming tough.
• Step 10: Bake Bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until lightly golden, then remove them from the oven—using oven mits, of course!
• Step 11: Cool Move the cookies to a plate or cooling rack after a minute or two, and let them cool completely before eating or decorating.
• FACT: Some sugar is good for your brain. Sugar and carbs are converted to blood glucose, the brain’s fundamental fuel.

You Will Need

• A large and a small bowl
• A whisk
• 2.75 c all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1.5 sticks of unsalted butter
• 0.75 c sugar
• 1.0 egg
• 1.5 tsp vanilla
• Plastic wrap
• A cookie sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone cooking mat
• A clean
• flat working surface that can be covered in flour
• A rolling pin
• Cookie cutters