Add butter and sugar to an electric mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Add egg, milk and vanilla and beat until combined.
Add spices, flour, baking powder and salt and continue to mix until well combined.
Divide dough in half, shape into a ball and cover with wax paper.Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 F and lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
On a floured surface, roll out 1st ball of dough with floured rolling pin, to a thickness of about 1/8".Using your chosen cookie cutter shape cut out cookies and transfer to baking sheets, about 1/2" apart.Gather up trimmings and re roll out dough continuing to cut out cookies.Repeat with second ball of dough. Bake cookies for 7-8 minutes maximum. Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.