Estimated time:
2 1/2 hr.

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
3/4 c. softened butter

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Directions:
Put the butter into a bowl; measure and pour sugar over the butter.

Squish the butter and sugar together with a fork or pastry blender until totally blended.

Gently break open each egg, and pour each into mixture in bowl.

Measure and add vanilla; blend mixture with fork again.

Measure and add flour to the mixture in bowl. Measure and add baking powder and salt, and sprinkle each over the top of the flour in the bowl.

Mix it alllll together with the fork, or with Very Clean Hands ;-) Chill the dough for at least an hour.

On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 " thick and cut into shapes.

Ordinary-sized cookies bake at 400 degrees F for 6-8 minutes.

If you make Giant Cookies, reduce heat by 25 degrees (375 Degrees F.) and baking time may be double, or nearly 15 minutes (check towards end of estimated bake time).

Cookie enjoys simple Shape Cookies, or Numbers and Letters. These can be made using things found in the kitchen as cookie cutters (example: soup can cutter = circle), or strips of dough to form letters & numbers.

Other suggestions and comments:
Cookies may be enjoyed plain, or you may sprinkle with colored sugar prior to baking.
Frosting is fine, too.

Basic Buttercream frosting works well:

1 stick softened butter, one l lb. box powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/4 c. water, food coloring (optional).
Blend until smooth (adding a li'l bit more water, by spoonfuls, if necessary) and frost cookies.

The pre-made frosting in a tub can be used. Some of the colors and flavors can be an interesting change, and the convenience is indisputable. I think it spreads a bit easier if microwaved Very briefly and stirred.