Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a stand mixer, combine 1 cup of softened butter and ½ cup of powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until light and fluffy.

Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour to the mixture. Optionally, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix just until combined.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a ball, then roll out between two sheets of parchment to 1/3 to ½ inch thick.

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and place on baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Bake for 12–15 minutes until light golden on the bottoms and pale on the tops.

Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Serve the cookies paired with a warm cup of tea or coffee.