1-1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Preheat oven to 375 deg.  Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture; mix well.  Divide dough in fourths.  Roll out 1/4 of dough at a time on lightly floured surface to 1/8" thickness.  Keep remaining dough refrigerated.  Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters.  Place 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned.  Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.  Decorate as desired.

 

Yield:  2 dozen cookies.