| In large bowl cream butter and sugar. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add vanilla and flour. Blend thoroughly on low speed. Shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour. For cookies, shape level teaspoonfuls of dough into 1 inch balls, then form into logs 2" by 1". Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 17-19 minutes at 325° until light golden brown. Also follow these basic cooking directions for pre-cooking the dough in a pie pan for use as a pie crust, making sure to pierce crust with a fork to help avoid shrinkage.(altering time frame as needed to avoid over browning). This dough may be uncooperative for rolling out as a crust, but in can be "sculpted" into the pie pan with your hands. | 
