Basic Ice Box Cookie With Variations

A great basic recipe with a multitude variety of ways to take these cookies.You can chill these up to 2 weeks.

• Ready In: 18 mins
• Yields: 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3  cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in eggs and vanilla; mix well.
2. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt, then add to butter mixture, mixing until thoroughly combined.
3. Divide dough in half and place each half on a piece of plastic wrap. Shape into a log about 2½ inches in diameter and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
4. To prepare cookies, preheat oven to 400°F Slice dough thinly and place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Transfer cookies to a baking rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.
5. Alternatives: Lemon: Sub lemon extract for vanilla and add 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest.
6. Cherry: Sub cherry extract for vanilla and add 1/2 cup finely chopped dried cherries or dried craisins.
7. Nut: Add 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
8. Chocolate: Stir in 2 squares melted semisweet chocolate.