Pre heat oven to 325 degrees F and line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Combine water and vanilla and stir into crumb mixture until just moistened. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours (until firm).
Dump dough mixture out on a lightly floured surface. The dough will be very crumbly at this point. Work the dough together for about 10 minutes. (It seems like it will never come together, but stick with it IT WILL!)
Roll out dough until its about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with a floured cookie cutter, (don’t twist while cutting)
Place cookies 1 inch apart on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for two minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.