Slices of Life: Pictures, Portraits, and Profiles

by Tom Hardej

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups butter
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

First set the butter out until softened, and then in a large bowl cream it together with the sugar. You can use an electric beater (or if you’re in a more utopian kitchen, with your KitchenAid mixer), but I think it’s more fun to use the backside of a fork. Mix them together until light and fluffy. Next mix in the eggs and the vanilla. Most recipes will tell you to crack-in each egg individually and mix, but put it all in at once with the vanilla. I dare you.

As for the vanilla, just pour in as much as you want but not too much. Take a swig of it after you’re done mixing. You deserve it.

Meanwhile, in another bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Don’t bother with a flour sifter (Martha certainly doesn’t). You can just use a whisk. Mix it up until it seems blended.

Now, take the flour mixture and pour it into the sugar-butter mixture in three equal parts, beating completely at medium speed. If you do it all at once, you’re just going to make a big mess (again, unless you’re using the KitchenAid—in that scenario you can do whatever you want). Once it’s mixed completely, cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight, or for a few hours, or until 10 minutes before your party.

After it’s been properly chilled, pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees, and roll out the dough. Grab the cookie cutters (I’m partial to dinosaurs, rocket ships, and Abe Lincoln). Cut out your shapes and place them on a cookie sheet about an inch apart. Bake for eight to ten minutes, or until they’ve browned enough.

Let them cool, or burn your tongue. It’s your choice. They’re pretty tasty either way.