In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the royal icing according to your recipe. Divide the icing into two portions. Tint one portion with black food coloring, leaving the other portion white.

Using a piping bag, outline and flood each cookie with black icing. Allow the icing to dry completely, then brush the edges and patterns with edible gold luster dust for an elegant finish.

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter. Serve them alongside other festive treats like cakes and pastries to create a stunning dessert table.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.