In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix again. Now add milk and vanilla, mixing one more time.
In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add this to the wet ingredients 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
When it’s baking time, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough into fourths, and work with one piece at a time. Roll out dough onto a floured countertop and cut out with your favorite cookie cutters. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, cool on racks before decorating.