recipe of the week: old fashioned sugar cookies

1C butter, unsalted at room temperature
1C white sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
3C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
add the eggs one at a time and blend well after each addition.
add the vanilla.
combine flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.
stir the dry ingredients into the wet in 3 additions. i find using my hands for the last addition is easier than the spoon.
warp dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours. before putting the dough into the fridge, shape it into a log so you can easily cut it into rounds, or leave it in a blob shape if you'll roll it out and use cookie cutters.
cut chilled dough log into rounds about 1/4 - 1/3 inch thick or roll out the dough on a floured surface until the same thickness is achieved and cut out with cookie cutters.
brush the tops of the cookies with a little milk and sprinkle on colourful sugar.
bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
cool on a wire rack.

i found cute little christmas cookie stencils that look great with coloured sprinkles!