Instructions

• Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
• Mix in the large egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until fully incorporated.
• Gradually add all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined.
• Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Roll out the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness, cut out cookie shapes, and create windows with a smaller cutter.
• Transfer to a lined baking sheet and spoon crushed hard candies into each cookie shape.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, until edges are golden.
• Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
• Dust with powdered sugar if desired and thread ribbon through holes for hanging.