Vanilla Bites

In order to save money during this government shutdown, I refuse to buy snacks. So, instead, I try using what I have in my pantry and fridge to satisfy sweet tooth and munching craving.
I asked my daughter to look through my collection of cookie recipes and pick the ones she wanted me to try. She picked these Vanilla Bites, from the Great American Home Baking collection.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  

Notes:

• Although the original recipe called for 18-20 minutes, my first batch, at 18 minutes was too brown.
• These cookies bake like sugar cookies, you need to look at the bottom edge to see whether they are ready.
• The taste and texture reminded a friend who tasted them of cookies often given at Christmas. Very similar to shortbread.
  
• My daughter did not like them, too dry/crumbly for her. Everybody else liked them ;-)  They would taste fantastic with hot cocoa.
  

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
2. Beat together sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and water, then flour and beat until smooth.
3. Roll the dough, cover in saran wrap and put in the fridge for 10 minutes.
   
4. On a floured surface, use a floured pin to roll the dough the a 1/2 inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter (1 inch), cut out cookies. Roll the leftover dough and keep making cookies. If necessary, refrigerate the dough in between if it becomes too soft.
5. Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
6. Bake until set and golden, about 15 minutes.
7. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to let cool. Sprinkle with granulated or powdered sugar if you want.