1. Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the cookies bake evenly and gives you a head start while you prepare the dough.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Set this aside to keep the dry ingredients separate from the wet ones. The cream of tartar adds a unique tanginess to the cookies and helps with the rise, giving them that soft, pillowy texture.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a soft, tender cookie. The creaming process incorporates air into the dough, which helps the cookies maintain their softness after baking.

4. Add the Wet Ingredients

Once your butter and sugars are well-combined, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl as you go to ensure everything is evenly mixed. The egg helps bind the dough, while the vanilla extract enhances the flavor of your cookies.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. Over-mixing can result in dense cookies, so stop once you see no more dry flour.

6. Scoop and Shape the Dough

Using a ¼ measuring cup or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each scoop into a ball. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Once all the dough is portioned, flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand to ensure an even, round shape. You’ll want about 6 cookies per sheet, as they will spread slightly during baking.

7. Bake the Cookies

Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as the baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your dough balls. After they’re done, let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting them.

8. Prepare the Frosting

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the frosting by creaming together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk to reach your desired frosting consistency. Stir in the almond extract for a touch of sweetness and flavor. To get the signature pink color, add a few drops of pink food coloring and mix until you’re happy with the color.

9. Frost the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous amount of frosting on each one. Use a butter knife or offset spatula for an even coat. If you like, you can chill the frosted cookies in the fridge to set the frosting, or serve them right away!