Step 1

Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder together in the food processor. Stir.

Step 2

Add in the cold butter pieces, blitz until little butter pieces form. It should look sandy.

Step 3

Add in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and (if using) almond extract.

Step 4

Pulse until it comes together into a dough, without overmixing it. Add a splash of milk if the dough is dry and not coming together.

Step 5

Add the powdered sugar and salt and mix to combine.

Step 6

Using the paddle attachment on the stand mixer, add the cold butter pieces and beat on low to start, then increase speed. Beat until butter and sugar form almost like a paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 7

Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, and (if using) almond extract.

Step 8

Add the flour and baking powder and mixture just until combined. Add a splash of milk if the dough seems dry.

Step 9

Divide the dough in half, if it still feels a little shaggy just gently knead until it comes together.

Step 10

Place each half on a sheet of parchment paper. Place a second sheet of parchment on top of each dough.

Step 11

Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough half between the 2 sheets of parchment until about a ½ inch thick. (I prefer these bites to be on the thicker side so do not roll it too thin, they get a good rise and stay so soft and perfect.)

Step 12

Place each parchment cookie dough slab in the freezer for 20 minutes or until solid and cold. You can place on a baking sheet if you’d like.

Step 13

Cut into squares. I just use a pizza cutter for this. You can use pastry rulers or eyeball it. Re-roll the scraps and repeat, chilling the dough again if it gets warm.

Step 14

Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, do not over-bake. Let the cookies cool before frosting and decorating.

Step 15

Make the frosting using My Favorite Buttercream Frosting recipe.

Step 16

Divide frosting into 3 portions. Keep one white, and color the other 2 portions red and green with food coloring. Gel food coloring works well. Frost each cookie bite.

Step 17

Garnish with festive holiday sprinkles. Enjoy!