1 lb. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 c. confectioners' sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla
5-6 c. sifted flour

Beat butter until very thick and white. Cream in the sugar and egg yolk and add the vanilla. Mix in flour a little at a time until mixture holds together and doesn't stick to fingers. Pat into half moon or rectangle shapes on a floured cutting board. Insert into each cut cookie one whole clove.

Bake on a cookie sheet 275 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until barely gold, but baked solid. Cool. Pack in powdered sugar, being sure to pack enough sugar between the cookies so they will not touch each other. These are better after they have been stored a few days.