Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, about 3-4 minutes.
Add in the vanilla extract and continue mixing on low speed until evenly incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt until well mixed. Gradually introduce the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the dough into two equal halves and shape each half into a disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough.
Once the dough has chilled, remove one disc from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch, ensuring it’s even throughout.
Use a round cookie cutter (approximately 3 inches in diameter) to cut out circles from the rolled dough. Arrange half of these circles neatly on the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine the cherry filling with the almond extract to enhance the flavor. Place about a teaspoon of this cherry mixture in the center of each dough circle on the baking sheet.
Roll out the second disc of dough and cut out an identical set of circles that will serve as the tops for the cookies. Carefully place each circle over the filling on the cookies below. Press the edges gently to seal and create a decorative edge by pressing down with a fork.
Crack the egg into a small bowl and beat it lightly. Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash to achieve a beautiful golden color during baking.
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fragrant.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
For a finishing touch, once the cookies have cooled, lightly dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter and add a few fresh cherries for a pop of color. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!