1. Preheat Oven

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and develop a lovely golden-brown color.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to facilitate easy cleanup.

2. Mix Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 1-2 minutes and is crucial for achieving the cookies’ iconic texture.
• Add the salt, vanilla extract, and egg to the mixture. Mix until smooth and well combined.
• Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.

3. Pipe Cookies

• Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. This will give the cookies their distinctive ridged edges and circular shape.
• Pipe 2-inch circles onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
• Sprinkle a little extra sugar over the tops of the cookies for added sweetness and a subtle crunch.

4. Bake

• Place one baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes or until the cookies are lightly golden.
• Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents breakage.