Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl.

In a second bowl, combine the butter and sugar and "cream it" with a wooden spoon or electric mixer. The paddle attachment on an electric mixer works best. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla, making sure each is fully incorporated.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and incorporate well, removing as many lumps as you can.

Take one portion of batter and put it into a separate bowl and add whatever flavoring ingredients you would like. Mix well.

Put dollops of batter - about 1 tablespoon in size - onto a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil or parchment and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.