Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Add flour, baking powder and cocoa, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. (If dough is too soft, add enough flour to make a stiff dough.)
Do not chill.
Cut patterns, transfer dough pieces to ungreased cookie sheet with spatula. Bake 8-10 minutes, cool.