Sugar Cookies

3 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup butter (1 stick)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs + if desired, egg whites for brushing cookies before decorating

Directions:

1. Cream butter, 2 eggs, and sugar.
2. Add orange juice and vanilla.
3. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Dough will be stiff.
4. Divide in ½, wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate 1 day or overnight.
5. Roll out on floured board (or confectioner's sugar instead of flour so cookie texture stays light). Cover rolling pin and cookie cutters with sugar, too.
6. Cut out different shapes. Brush cookies with egg whites and sprinkle on colored sugar, or decorate with icing after baking.
7. Bake on lightly greased sheets at 350 degrees (or 325) for 5 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheet and cool on rack. Makes 5 dozen cookies.