Slice-and-Bake Butter Cookies

Steps

1. 1

   Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl.

2. 2

   In a second bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until very smooth.

3. 3

   Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined; the dough will be loose.

4. 4

   Let the dough rest until firm, about 5 minutes.

   Start 5-minute timer
5. 5

   Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a log that is 1¼ inches in diameter and about 10 inches long.

6. 6

   Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.

   Start 1-hour timer
7. 7

   Adjust oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 °C).

8. 8

   Let the chilled dough sit on the counter to soften slightly for about 15 minutes.

   Start 15-minute timer
9. 9

   Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

10. 10

    Slice the logs into ¼-inch-thick rounds and space them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

11. 11

    Let the sliced rounds rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking.

    Start 10-minute timer
12. 12

    Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until the edges are just golden, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking.

    Start 12-minute timer
13. 13

    Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 10 minutes.

    Start 10-minute timer
14. 14

    Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely, about 30 minutes, before serving.

    Start 30-minute timer