📖 Instructions

1. **Get Ready, Set, Bake!:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. (Trust me, you'll thank me later.)
2. **Cream the Dream:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together ½ cup (1 stick) of softened butter and ¾ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. If you're doing it by hand, channel your inner Hercules!
3. **Egg-cellent Addition:** Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Make sure the egg is at room temperature for better incorporation. Nobody wants lumpy batter!
4. **Dry Ingredients, Assemble!:** In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent.
5. **Combine Forces:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and nobody wants tough cookies.
6. **Divide and Conquer:** Divide the dough into 2-4 equal portions, depending on how many colors you want. I like to use three: a vibrant blue, a cheerful yellow, and a sassy red.
7. **Color Me Happy:** Add a few drops of food coloring to each portion of dough and mix until the color is evenly distributed. Gel food coloring works best, as it's more concentrated and won't add extra liquid to the dough. This is where the science comes in, experiment with different color combinations!
8. **Swirl It Up:** Gently press the colored doughs together, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix! The goal is to have distinct swirls of color, not a homogenous blob. Think of it like mixing paint – less is more.
9. **Chill Out:** Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Impatience is the enemy of deliciousness, so dont skip it
10. **Roll and Cut:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Get creative! Stars, circles, beakers – the possibilities are endless. And dont worry if they are perfect.
11. **Bake to Perfection:** Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them – cookies can go from perfectly baked to burnt in a matter of seconds.
12. **Cool Down Period:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking. Once they're cool, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Now, time to eat.
13. **Make sure to give some to your friends if you have any friends.**