The Very Best Sugar Cookie

I found this sugar cookie recipe many years ago in a Martha Stewart magazine and have been making these for almost 20 years. It is the cookie that family and friends all request that I make each year, and I do. I think it is the touch of brandy in this recipe that gives it such a wonderful taste. (I usually triple or even quadruple this recipe.)

Ingredients:
!/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ t baking powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tablespoons brandy
½ teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together. Sift dry ingredients together, add to butter mixture and beat well. Add egg, brandy and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Chill dough at leas 1 hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into shapes and put on baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely and decorate.