Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Sugar

This is one of those recipes you can make just once and almost remember by heart the next time. The dough is so simple, and comes together so easily, it’s a real confidence-booster. This version makes a softer, fluffier cookie—not the firmer type you might see decorated around the holidays—and they sparkle from a generous dusting of vanilla sugar or turbinado sugar instead of colored frosting. I think they taste even better the second day.