Any Holiday Sugar Cookie Cutouts

I just realized I didn't post this recipe and should have in December for the holidays.  Valentine's Day is approaching and so is St. Patrick's Day, then Easter for making cutout cookies and decorating them.  Kerry hosted a Hanukkah Cookie decorating get together and she made 2 batches of these cookies along with the Vanilla Glaze recipe that follows. Everyone who came participated in decorating cookies.  This is my grandson Levi and his Grandpa Paul with their beautiful plates of decorated cookies  Levi was so proud of his work!  When my children were young we had the same Christmas Cookie decorating day, after the kids got bored Paul and I decorated the rest.  Great memories!  

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (Kerry left this out as she doesn't like the flavor).

In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the butter and granulated sugar beat until well blended about a minute.  Add the egg and vanilla and almond extracts and beat on low seed until the egg is blended in.  Scrape down the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula.  

Slowly add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until incorporated.  

Divide the dough in half and press each piece into a 6" disk.  Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 3 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Place 1 chilled dough disk on a floured work surface.  Using a floured rolling pin

roll out the disk to about 1/4 inch thick.  Using cookie cutters, cut out as many cookies as possible.  Place on cookie sheet, 1" apart.  Repeat with remaining dough.  

Bake for 10-13 minutes**  Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

**I usually bake my cookies on the low side meaning 10 minutes, Kerry did this too they bake evenly and do not brown.