1. Preheat and Prepare

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.

3. Add Vanilla

• Mix in the vanilla extract until evenly incorporated.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

5. Form the Dough

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

6. Shape and Pattern

• Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.

• Use a fork to gently flatten each ball, creating a ridged “washboard” pattern on top.

7. Bake to Perfection

• Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops look set.

• Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.