Basic Butter Cookies

Step 1

Beat the butter, sugar, together until creamy.

Step 2

Mix in the salt and vanilla followed by the egg yolk. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 3

Add the flour and mix just until incorporated.

Step 4

Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, until firm.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 3 baking sheets with parchment.

Step 6

Between 2 pieces of parchment paper, roll 1 piece of dough to 1/8-inch thickness. With floured 2 to 3-inch cookie cutters, cut the dough into as many cookies as possible. Wrap and refrigerate the leftover trimmings.

Step 7

Place the cookies 1-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with turbinado sugar or colored sugar.

Step 8

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until just beginning to turn golden around the edges.

Step 9

Cool on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.