Sugar Cookies ("Tea Cakes")

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F.

2. 2

   Put flour in a bowl and make a well in center.

3. 3

   Beat together butter and sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then beat in egg and vanilla until blended.

4. 4

   Add butter mixture to flour and rub it into flour with your fingertips just until dough comes together in a ball (do not overwork dough, or it will be tough).

5. 5

   3Halve dough and work with 1 half at a time.

6. 6

   Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin.

7. 7

   Cut out cookies with a floured cutter (we used a 2 1/2-inch fluted round cutter), arranging cookies, as cut, 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

8. 8

   Reroll scraps once, using as little flour as possible, and cut out more cookies.

9. 9

   Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, in middle of oven until very pale golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

10. 10

    Cool on baking sheet 1 minute, then transfer to a rack to cool 5 minutes if serving warm, or to cool completely.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.