1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Be sure to use butter; if you're going to substitute, do it with another recipe. For the best flavor, use real vanilla, not imitation flavoring.

Beat butter to soften. Beat in sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and milk;
beat together.

Sift or stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture. Mix well. Add vanilla.
Chill 2 hours.

Roll out 1/8 - to 1/4 -inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with floured cookie cutter.

Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. If desired, sprinkle with colored sugar.

Bake in preheated 400 degree oven 10 to 12 minutes, until done. Remove and cool on wire
racks.

Makes about 3 dozen. Recipe can be doubled.

- From What To Cook for Company by Lenore Sullivan, Iowa State University Press