Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

1. In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside. 

2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter and sugar until blended. Mix in egg then blend in sour cream, vanilla extract and almond extract. 

3. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix until combined. 

4. Divide dough into 2 fairly equal portions. Place each portion on a sheet of plastic wrap and shape each into a round disk about 6-inches. 

5. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill 1½ to 2 hours until fairly firm for rolling. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F during the last 20 minutes of chilling.

6. Dust a work surface with a fair amount of flour. Remove one portion of dough from refrigerator, remove from plastic wrap and transfer to floured surface. 

7. Dust top with flour, then using a rolling pin, roll out to a ¼-inch thickness. Cut into rounds or hearts. 

8. Transfer to an 18×13-inch baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gather scraps (shake excess flour off) and press together then re-roll dough and cut into shapes. 

9. Bake in preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes until cookies are nearly set.

10. Let cool several minutes on baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat process with remaining dough in refrigerator. 

11. Once cookies are cool, frost with the vanilla frosting and store in an airtight container in a single layer.

Frosting:

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer (or in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer) blend together butter, powdered sugar, half and half and vanilla until well combined and fluffy. 

2. Add in a little more half and half as needed, 1 teaspoon at a time, to thin. Keep covered until ready to use.