1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the 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 dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms.

2. Chill the Dough:

• Divide the dough in half and flatten each into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

3. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

4. Cut Out the Stars:

• Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

5. Bake:

• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Decorate:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the icing. Divide into bowls and add food coloring if desired.
• Use a piping bag or a spoon to decorate the cookies with icing. Add sprinkles or edible glitter while the icing is still wet. Let the icing set before serving or storing.