Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

This is a very quick and easy sugar cookie dough, that really isn't fussy or difficult to work with. My mother uses it every year for both Christmas cookies, such as trees, bells, and stars decorated with sprinkles or colored sugar; and frosted ghost cookies for Halloween. This is a good cookie dough for any shape, and has a nice flavor that isn't dry or crumbly.

Sugar Cookie Dough
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated (white) sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose (plain) flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the flour and salt. Form the dough into a ball and flatten. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.

To Bake: Preheat oven to 325◦F. Line cookie sheets if desired.
Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Cut out desired shapes and place cookies on prepared cookie sheets. Decorate with sugar or sprinkles if desired, or ice after baking. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until just golden on edges, do not overbrown.