2 1/2 c. all purpose flour, sifted
2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 lg. egg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients and knead dough. Chill dough overnight. Roll out small portion of dough and cut into desired shapes. Bake 5 to 8 minutes at 375 degrees. (Stores well in refrigerator for weeks.)

Yield is 5 to 6 dozen. Top warm cookies with sugar or colored sugars if desired.

NOTE: It is important to chill the dough before cutting the shapes. Also, if you dip the cutter in flour first, the cookie will release better. For plain round cookies, roll into small balls and then bake.