Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients and prevents clumps in the dough.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable.
Add Color (Optional):
If you want to make colorful cookies, divide the dough into portions and mix in food coloring until evenly blended. You can make multiple colors or just one, depending on your preference.
Chill the Dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Roll Out the Dough:
Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Aim for about ¼ inch thick for perfectly crispy edges.
Cut Out Shapes:
Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes. Place the shaped dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Decorate (Optional):
If desired, sprinkle the cookies with festive sprinkles before baking, or you can wait until after they cool and decorate them with royal icing or other toppings.
Bake:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them as baking times can vary depending on thickness.
Cool:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
