Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In another bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes.

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Divide the dough into three equal parts. Color each with a few drops of red, white, and blue food coloring, respectively.

Roll out each colored dough to about 1/4-inch thickness between sheets of parchment paper. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.

Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Once cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe frosting onto each cookie. Decorate with sprinkles and decorative sugars as desired.

Serve the cookies on a decorative platter for a festive presentation. They pair beautifully with summer drinks at your 4th of July celebration.

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies for up to three months.