Best Rolled Shortbread Cookie

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add the vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.

3. Sift the flour and salt together, then gradually add it to the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.

4. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a disc. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.

5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut out shapes from the dough.

7. Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.

8. Reroll any scraps of dough and continue cutting out cookies until all the dough is used.

9. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

10. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining disc of dough.

12. Once all the cookies have cooled, you can optionally decorate them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.