Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Mix the Butter and Sugar:

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer or whisk until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Add Vanilla:

Add the vanilla extract and mix it in until fully combined.

Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:

Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep the cookies light and tender.

Shape the Cookies:

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you’d like, you can flatten them slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers for a more uniform shape.

Bake the Cookies:

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are just beginning to turn golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake.

Cool the Cookies:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Optional Decorating:

For a festive touch, sprinkle the cooled cookies with colored sugar or dip the edges in melted chocolate. Let the chocolate set before serving.