Sugar Cookies

Instructions 

1. Prepare the oven and baking sheets:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Mix the dry ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar:
   • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the wet ingredients:
   • Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until well combined.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
   • Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together.
6. Shape the cookies:
   • Roll the dough into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter. (If the dough feels too sticky, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling.)
   • Place the cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
   • Gently press each cookie ball down with the bottom of a glass or your fingers to flatten slightly.
7. Shape the cookies:
   • Gently press the sprinkles into the tops of the cookies. You can either use colorful sprinkles to coat the whole top of the cookie or just add a few on top for a fun pop of color.
8. Shape the cookies:
   • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Don’t over bake—they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
   • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Shape the cookies:
   • Once cooled, enjoy your delicious, sprinkle-topped sugar cookies! They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or just a fun treat anytime.