For the Halloween Cookies

Cup of Yum
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine sugar, powdered sugar, butter, and shortening in a stand mixer. Mix until well combined.
2. Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until combined.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture a little at a time. Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a soft ball when pressed together.
5. Remove dough from the bowl and roll it out onto a lightly floured surface (about 1/4 cup flour). Roll out to 3/8-inch thickness (see notes above).
6. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
7. Bake cookies on a lined baking sheet for 7 minutes (6 minutes for smaller cookies). Remove cookies from the pan and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
8. After the cookies have completely cooled, they are ready for decorating (see notes above).

For the Royal Icing

1. Combine all the ingredients in the stand mixer and let it whisk on high for 3 minutes scraping the sides as needed.
2. Use gel food coloring for desired colors. (*See Recipe Notes)