Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Use a fork to gently press down on each cookie, creating a crisscross pattern. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden. Don't overbake!
Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.