The World's BEST Sugar Cookies. That I have ACTUALLY gotten tackled at the salon for...

Ok. These are a bit of a commitment. But they are OH so worth it!!!

COOKIE INGREDIENTS:
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
¾ c. butter, softened
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. almond extract (DO NOT skip this!!! Adds SUCH richness!!!)

VANILLA GLAZE INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 4 tablespoons hot water

COOKIE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside
2. In a large mixer bowl, at medium speed, beat sugar and butter until creamy
3. Add eggs, vanilla, almond extract; beat well
4. At low speed, beat in flour mixture until well blended
5. Divide dough into 3 portions.
6. Cover and chill 1 hour
7. Preheat oven to 375
8. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough at a time to about ¼ inch thickness (I use 1/4 inch thick trim board on each side of the dough to run my rolling pin along; gives perfect, even thickness)
9. Dip cutters in flour and cut cookies
10. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet
11. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until cookies appear dry (just before edges brown)
12. Remove from oven, let sit on pan 1-2 minutes and then cool on racks
13. Frost after cooled

VANILLA GLAZE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat butter in 1 ½ quart saucepan until melted
2. Stir in powdered sugar
3. Stir in vanilla
4. Stir in hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth and consistency of thick syrup
5. Stir in food coloring if desired
6. Spread or pipe on cookies

Now. Get ready to be forced to make these every year. I'm sorry.