Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. Soften 1.5 c. (3 sticks) butter. 3. Mix 3 c. flour, 1.5 tsp. baking powder, and 1 tsp. salt in a medium bowl, set aside. 4. Put the 1.5 c. butter and 1.5 c. sugar (*this is not all the sugar*) in the bowl of your electric mixer. Mix together on high for *at least* 5 minutes. Don't shorten this time - it's one of the major reasons these are so good. It should be light and fluffy. 5. Reduce speed to low and add 2 eggs and 2 tbls. vanilla, making sure to scrape the bowl with a spatula so it mixes well. 6. Slowly add the flour mixture (with the mixer still on low), scraping the bowl. 7. Mix on high again for 30 seconds. 8. Pour some extra sugar (around 1/2 c.) in a separate bowl. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls. It will be delicate - don't over-handle it. Roll each ball in the bowl of sugar to coat, then transfer to a cookie sheet, spacing apart by about 2 inches. 9. Press down on each ball to flatten a little bit. 10. Bake each pan for 9-10 minutes, until the edges are *slightly* golden and the centers are still soft. 11. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool. Be careful - they will be very delicate until cooled.