Frosted Sugar Cookies

Step 1

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, five to seven minutes. Beat in the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla and almond extracts. Editor's Tip: This step aerates the butter, adding volume and lightness to the cookies.

Step 2

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture until combined. Don't overbeat the batter, or the cookies may be tough. Editor's Tip: Combining the dry ingredients separately ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed in the flour.

Step 3

Tip the dough onto the counter, and shape it into a disk. Wrap the disk, and refrigerate it until it's firm enough to roll, about one hour.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the dough with a floured 2-inch cookie cutter in the shape of your choice. Place the cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Editor's Tip: Scraps of dough can be combined and rolled again until all the cookies are cut out.

Step 5

Bake the cookies until the edges begin to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Err on the side of slightly underbaking, as the cookies will continue to solidify after coming out of the oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for five minutes, then move them to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 6

In a large bowl, beat the confectioners' sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla extract, almond extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. Slowly add a bit more milk (about 1 tablespoon, but you may need more or less) until the frosting is the desired consistency—not too runny but not too stiff. If you add too much milk, simply stir in a little more confectioners' sugar. When the cookies are completely cool, spread with frosting. If desired, top with sprinkles. Editor's Tip: While cookies taste delicious with a simple slather of frosting, there are endless creative ideas for decorating cookies. To turn these frosted sugar cookies into Christmas cookies, pipe on festive designs or use themed cookie cutters.