SWEET & SIMPLE SUGAR COOKIES

Makes: about 2 dozen

1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened

3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar

1 egg

1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) flour

Buttercream frosting (see recipe), optional

1. Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in the egg. Then mix in vanilla.

2. Slowly mix in the flour, and continue mixing until a soft dough forms.

3. Turn the dough out onto the countertop, and pat into two balls. Flatten each into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1/2 hour (or up to 4 days).

4. Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Working with one disk at a time, roll out the dough about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick.

5. Cut out cookies with cookie cutters, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

6. Cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

7. Decorate with buttercream frosting, if desired. Store cooled cookies in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

Craving cocoa?

Make chocolate cookies by adding 1/2 cup (125 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder in step 2.