Butter Cookies

I have extracted this recipe from Joy Of baking Website, however I do without the frosting. I love the smell of butter on the cookies, it is just delicious when you dip the cookies into a cup of hot Milo. 

Ingredients:
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup (135g) White sugar
1 Large Egg
1 Teaspoon Lemon or Orange Zest (outer rind of a lemon or orange) (optional)
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 Cups (295g) All purpose flour (sifted)
1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and make sure it is incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a log (round or square) that is about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) in diameter.

3. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm (at least two hours or overnight). Once the log is firm, with a sharp knife, slice cookies about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick.  You can then make cookies on demand by removing log from freezer and slicing off as many cookies as you like. Return the log to the freezer.

4. Preheat oven to 180C.

5. Place the cookies on the baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Sprinkle a little granulated white sugar on each cookie before baking. Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.