Preheat the oven to 350F. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until mixed. Roughly 2-3 minutes. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. In batches, mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. The dough will come together and be stiff. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead with you hands if necessary.

Divide the dough into 2 or three sections, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4 inch thickness, and cut out shapes.

Bake at 350f for 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet until firm enough to transfer to a cooling rack. Cool completely and then decorate.