Aunt Ida's Poppy Seed Cookies

Step 1: Set the oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cover a 14 X 16-inch baking sheet with foil, shiny side up. Coat the foil with vegetable spray or use a silicone liner.

Step 2: Sift together flour and baking powder; add poppy seeds.

Step 3: Separately, whisk peanut oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix to combine. Chill overnight

Step 4: With floured hands or wearing disposable gloves, break off teaspoon-size pieces of dough and roll into small balls.

Step 5: Place dough balls on baking sheet about 2 inches apart, or 12 cookies per sheet. Pat into circles with your fingers (rather than rolling or stamping).

Step 6: Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned around edges.

Step 7: Let cookies cool 1 minute on baking sheet on rack and then transfer cookies to a rack. Cookies will become crisp as they cool.

Step 8: Store between sheets of wax paper in a covered tin or freeze in a tightly sealed plastic bag or container.