Preheat & Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Cream Butter & Sugar. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. The fluffier the mixture, the softer your cookies will be!
Add Egg & Extracts. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). The almond extract is optional, but it adds a slightly nutty depth that pairs beautifully with the lavender.
Mix in Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the flour, salt, and ground lavender buds. Mix just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies might turn out tough instead of tender.
Chill the Dough (Optional but Helpful). If you have time, cover the dough and let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out and cut into shapes without sticking.
Roll & Shape. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thickness. Use a round or flower-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Keep an eye on them, they bake quickly! Once done, let them cool completely on a wire rack before icing.