Sift dry ingredients together into a bowl. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is full of very fine lumps. It will resemble pie crust or biscuit mix, although not as coarse. Measure egg in a measuring cup. A large egg will measure 1/4 cup. If it does not, add water to the 1/4 cup line. Add the egg and vanilla (and almond, if using) to the dough, and beat the mixture very well. Fill cookie press. Form cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove at once to cooling racks. Makes 5 to 6 dozen.