Perfect Frosted Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups

cake flour

2 tsp

cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp

baking powder

1/4 tsp

salt

1/2 cup

salted butter (, at room temperature)

1/4 cup

all vegetable shortening ((unflavored), at room temperature)

1 cup

granulated sugar

large egg

large egg white

2 tsp

vanilla extract

1/2 tsp

almond extract

recipe Vanilla Frosting (, recipe follows)

1/3 cup

salted butter (, at room temperature)

2 1/2 cups

powdered sugar

1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

2 tbsp

half-and-half

food coloring (, optional)