Basic Butter Cookies

Directions

1. 1
   ["With the back of a large spoon in a medium mixing bowl or with a mixer, beat the butter with the sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth and creamy but not fluffy, about 1 minute with the mixer.", "Add the flour and mix just until incorporated.", "Scrape the dough into a mass and knead it with your hands a few times just until smooth.", "For slice-and-bake cookies, form a 12 X 2-inch log. For rolled and cut cookies, form 2 flat patties. Wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. The dough may be frozen for up to 3 months.", "Preheat the oven to 350F. Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.", "To slice and bake cookies, use a sharp knife to cut the cold dough log into slices 1/4\" thick. Place cookies at least 1+1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets.""