Preheat Your Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Do not overmix.
Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Roll and Cut: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough and cut out festive shapes using cookie cutters.
Bake: Place the cut-out cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden. Keep a close eye to avoid over-baking.
Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, festive sprinkles, and colored sugar.
Serve and Enjoy: Share these delightful Christmas sugar cookies with your loved ones, savoring the joy of the holiday season with each delicious bite.