Beat together:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar

until light and fluffy. Beat in:

1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or other extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix only until well combined; to avoid tough cookies, beat as little as possible once the flour has been added. Wrap well and refrigerate for several hours.

Roll out dough (1/4-inch thickness) on a clean surface dusted with flour (or a silicone sheet). Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters dipped in flour.

Using a thin spatula, carefully lift each cookie onto a lightly greased baking sheet (or lined with Parchment Paper or a Silicone Sheet).

Bake 8-11 minutes (depending on size of cookies) or until lightly golden on edges.

Remove sheet from oven and allow cookies to cool slightly before removing cookies to wire rack to finish cooling.

Cookies can be decorated when cool with Royal Icing or Confectioners Icing.