1 Get Ready and Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don't stick.
2 Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking well. Set aside.
3 Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Incorporate the egg, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing until the mixture is smooth and well mixed.
4 Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough forms. Avoid over-mixing.
5 Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters shaped like ornaments to cut out your cookies.
6 Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
7 Prepare the Royal Icing: In a clean bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder), and vanilla extract until smooth. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to create festive hues.
8 How to decorate christmas ornament cookies : Using piping bags, apply the icing to create patterns like stripes, polka dots, and snowflakes. Top with edible glitter or sprinkles for a touch of holiday magic. Let the cookies dry completely before storing them.