Cream together the margarine, sugar, vanilla and egg until light and fluffy. Add about 3/4 of the flour and the baking powder, reserving the rest of the flour for rolling. Blend until well mixed. Chill the dough for 2 hours or overnight.

Roll out on a lightly floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Cut with a cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven until lightly browned, about 5-10 minutes. Cool before storing. Makes about 72 cookies 2 inch size or 6 small cookie sheets of various sizes.

My note: If you aren't too fussy, square or random shapes from the edges can be cut with a plastic knife or anything that is safe to use on your rolling surface. Decorate with a tiny piece of a cherry, raisin or nut.

Two small cookies = 58 calories, 1/2 bread exchange, 1/2 fat exchange 8 grams carbohydrate, 0 protein, 2 fat, 46 mg. Sodium, 10 potassium, 8 mg cholesterol.

and tested by Elizabeth Rodier Nov 93.