Easy Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies w/Whipped Buttercream

Name: Easy Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies w/Whipped Buttercream
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter (softened); 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 1 vanilla bean (seeds removed (optional)); 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract* (optional); 2 eggs; 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream; assorted sprinkles (for decorating)