Vanilla Cookies

My Mother gave me this recipe and told me it was "good to have when you want something sweet." It makes a small batch, so feel free to double the recipe. They're delicate and thin, but also chewy, buttery, sweet, and delicious!


1 1/3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Drop 1 tablespoon at a time onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges. Cool on wire rack.

Tip:
Since vanilla is the key flavor here, do NOT under any circumstances use imitation vanilla flavoring. Yes, it's cheaper. Yes, pure vanilla extract is really expensive. But if you want a vanilla cookie, use real vanilla! I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. Anyway....
I always line the cookie sheet with parchment paper whenever I bake cookies. It makes for perfect cookies and makes cleanup easier. I like a chewy cookie so I always under bake them slightly. If you prefer a crunchier cookie, leave them in the oven for slightly longer.
Feel free to add a teaspoon of another flavoring to go with the vanilla extract. I like to try a different flavor each time I make it, just for the fun of variety. Try coconut, lemon, orange, or rum extracts.