Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.
5. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough sticks, dust with a little more flour.
8. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.