Top Ten Cookie Recipes

Ingredients:
* 4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 2 cups butter, softened (do not substitute margarine)
* 1 cup confectioner's' sugar
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla (not imitation)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Lightly butter a 9" X 13" baking pan and set aside.
3. Blend flour, salt and baking powder in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter for 2 minutes. Add sugar and beat. Add vanilla and beat again until light and fluffy.
5. Turn mixer to low, and fold in flour 1 cup at a time. Add salt and baking powder. Mix just until blended.
6. Press dough into prepared baking pan in a flat sheet.
7. Use a sharp knife to score top of dough into 1" X 3" "fingers". Do not go all the way through.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until shortbread is light brown.
9. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool about 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Place on cutting board and cut through the score marks.
Cool completely before storing in an air tight container.