Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut dough into circles using a round cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool briefly on pans, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate cooled cookies with orange frosting and add basketball lines.
Notes
Chill the dough well to prevent spreading. Slightly underbake for the softest texture. Royal icing gives the cleanest designs, while buttercream offers richer flavor.
