Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

In another large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour to make rolling easier.

Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking!

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Once cooled, decorate with royal icing or colored sugar as desired. Share and enjoy the festive treats!