First Step: Gather and Mix Dry Ingredients Begin by whisking together the dry components in a medium bowl. Combine 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. This ensures everything mixes evenly and sets the foundation for your dough. For a vegan twist, you could swap flour types here if needed, keeping the process straightforward.

Second Step: Cream the Butter and Sugar Next, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar on high speed until it’s light and creamy, which takes about 3 minutes. This step is crucial for that soft texture you’re aiming for. Using room-temperature butter makes this easier, and if you’re watching calories, consider a substitute as mentioned earlier.

Third Step: Add Wet Ingredients Now, add 1 large egg at room temperature, along with 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract if you’re using it. Beat everything until it’s fully combined, creating a smooth mixture. This is where the flavor really starts to shine, and you can adapt for dietary preferences by swapping the egg.

Fourth Step: Combine Everything Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ones on low speed until the dough is soft; if it feels sticky, add a bit more flour. Divide the dough in half and roll each portion to about 1/4 inch thickness on lightly floured parchment. Stacking with flour dust between layers helps, and chilling for at least 2 hours makes it easier to handle.

Fifth Step: Preheat and Shape Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment. Cut the chilled dough into shapes using cookie cutters, then reroll any scraps to use them up. Place the shapes 3 inches apart on the sheets for even baking, which takes 11-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

Sixth Step: Bake and Cool Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes, watching closely to avoid overbaking for that perfect soft center. Once done, cool them on the sheets for 5 minutes before moving to a rack. This step helps them set without getting too hard, and you can adjust baking time for different preferences.

Final Step: Decorate and Serve Finally, decorate your cooled cookies with royal icing, easy glaze icing, or buttercream and add sprinkles for fun. Let the icing set before storing or sharing. This recipe makes about 24 cookies, perfect for parties or a quick treat, and you can store them as we’ll cover next for lasting freshness.