Perfect Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

For the cookie dough:

• 3 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. milk

For the buttercream frosting:

• 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 5 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• Food coloring

Directions:

• Set aside flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing dish.
• In another large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth and pale in color. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated, then gradually add the flour mixture until completely combined.
• Form into a disk and wrap with plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350oF and line two baking sheets with parchment paper when ready to bake. Roll out the dough until it is 1/8" thick on a lightly floured work surface. Cut out shapes and place them on baking sheets that have been pre-heated. Freeze for 10 minutes (to ensure your shapes stay in place when baking!).
• Meanwhile, prepare the frosting: In a large mixing basin, cream butter with a hand mixer until fluffy, then add powdered sugar and whisk until no lumps remain. Beat in the cream, almond extract, and salt until well mixed.
• Bake cookies until edges are lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool before frosting and decorating as desired.