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

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Mix in the vanilla extract until well incorporated.

Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

You can use a piping bag fitted with a star tip for a classic look, or simply scoop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each cookie.

If desired, sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the cookies or press a chocolate chip into the center of each cookie.

Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

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