Butter Cookies
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1/4 tsp salt
2 2/3 c flour
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp nutmeg or cardamom (optional)
Cream together butter, sugar, egg, salt, spice, and vanilla. Add flour and mix.
At this point, the recipe says to chill the dough, but I've found that this makes the dough too hard to get out of the cookie press. I put it through the press as soon as it is mixed.
I also like to sprinkle colored sugar on the cookies before baking them.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. I like mine a little tan. The nice thing is this recipe doesn't spread a lot, so you can place the cookies close together on the cookie sheet. I usually just use a plain aluminum cookie sheet, but you could use Silpat or parchment paper.
My father in law loves these cookies - as do I. I like adding nutmeg or cardamom to the cookie as it gives it a nice mild nutty flavor. But that is totally optional.
have fun!