How to Bake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Magic

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups (350g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 large egg whites, or 4 tablespoons meringue powder combined with 9 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for icing
• Gel food coloring (optional)