Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookies {Cutout Version}

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups

cake flour (, plus more for dusting work surface)

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

6 tbsp

salted butter (, at room temperature)

3 cups

powdered sugar

3/4 tsp

vanilla extract

3 1/2 tbsp

half-and-half

food coloring (, optional (I used Wilton red gel - for the red, and McCormick red liquid for the pink))