vanilla butter cookies

After some snickerdoodles and orange spritz, I wanted something plain and simple. These buttery vanilla cookies are exactly what I was looking for. These are best right out of the oven, I think I ate a dozen of them.

vanilla-butter cookies (leguas de gato)
adapted from apple pie, patis & pate

ingredients:

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 egg whites from large eggs

directions:

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. mix together the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth in an electric mixer.
3. gently fold in half of the flour. Then slowly mix in the egg whites followed by the rest of the flour. Continue mixing until thoroughly incorporated.
4. put the cookie dough in a pastry bag fitted with a round pasty tip (about 1/4" inch opening). Pipe the dough onto cookie sheets in 1-1/2 inch lengths. Space the piped dough at least 1-1/2 inches apart to allow for spread.
5. bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until the edges are lightly brown.