Basic Sugar Cookies

1/2 C butter or margarine softened

3/4 C sugar

1 egg

1 t pure vanilla extract

2 C all purpose flour

1/4 t salt

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on high until light and creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Add flour and salt and mix on low speed. Remove dough from bowl and flatten into two disks. Wrap each in plastic wrap or waxed paper and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove one disk of dough from refrigerator. Remove wrap and discard. Place dough between two sheets of waxed paper. Roll into an 8-10 inch circle. Remove top sheet of waxed paper and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter. Plate cutouts 1 inch apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Reroll scraps and cut out. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets on a wire rack. Decorate. (Can make in advance until ready to bake)