1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Do not grease the baking sheets—this helps the cookies stick to the pan when pressed.
2. Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Prepare the Cookie Press:
- Fill a cookie press with the dough, using your preferred shape disk.
4. Form the Cookies:
- Press the cookies directly onto the ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired.
5. Bake:
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake.
6. Cool:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.