• 1 cup butter (no substitutions)
  
• 1¹/₂ cups confectioners' sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1 egg
  
• 2¹/₂ cups flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  
• ¹/₄ teaspoon salt
  

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and egg and beat well. Add dry ingredients and mix. Chill at least two hours or overnight. On a lightly floured board, roll out dough ¹/₈ to ¹/₄ inch, depending on whether you like crisp or soft cookies. Cut into shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Frost and decorate.

Lela Grundfossen, Gresham, Ore.