Ingredients
2 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In mixer bowl, beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until fluffy.
Combine remaining ingredients; stir into sugar mixture just until blended.
Refrigerate, covered.

For Cookie Cut-Outs:
Roll part of dough 1/8" thick on lightly floured surface; keep remainder of dough refrigerated.
Cut with cookie cutters; place on ungreased baking sheets.
Sprinkle with sugar (optional).
Bake until set, but not brown (6-8 minutes).
Remove to wire racks to cool.
Amount: 8-9 dozen

For Molded Cookies:
Shape dough into 1" balls.
Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Flatten with bottom of sugared glass, ceramic cookie press or fork.
Bake until set, but not brown (8-10 minutes).
Remove to wire racks to cool.
Amount:  8-9 dozen

For Spritz Cookies:
Force dough through cookie press, following manufacturer's directions, onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake until set, but not brown (7-9 minutes).
Remove to wire racks to cool.
Amount:  about 10 dozen

Tips
Dough must be pliable. If dough is too soft, chill; if dough crumbles, let stand at room temperature.