Tasty Tuesday: Spritz Cookies

It's week 3 of Christmas baking recipes. Spritz cookies are good for any time of the year. They are very buttery and flavorful.  The kids like them because they're colorful, have sprinkles, and are fun to make. I like them because they're easy and make a ton!

If you have a cookie press, you need to make these.

And if you don't have a cookie press? Buy one! Ok, you can also use the dough just plopped down on the sheet, but they won't be as pretty. They will still taste just as buttery-delicious though.

See? I told you they were buttery.

 In fact, there aren't many other ingredients in there to distract from that buttery taste.

 Add some flour to stiffen it up, and you're set to go.

Since we were making Christmas cookies, we used green food coloring. Lots and lots of green to get a dark, rich color.

 Next is the fun part: using the "gun" to form the cookies.

 And then comes the other fun part: sprinkles!

We popped the trees into the oven and started work on the ornament cookies. Same process, just add red food coloring instead of the green. And of course, change the little disc in the cookie press.

Isn't this pathetic? I randomly snapped a single pic as all the cookies were scattered across the kitchen table before I assembled the tins and plates for friends. I had meant to take some more picture afterwards with the cookies we had left over. That never happened. Isn't that a nice tree trunk though? And how about that snickerdoodle next to it? That's about all that's in focus, and there's no pic of the red ornaments. Oh well, just trust me - they were cute and yummy!

Whether you make trees for Christmas, umbrellas for spring, or just plain ol' circles just because you wanna, go ahead and make these cookies. You won't be disappointed!

Spritz Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c (3 sticks) butter, softened                     1 tsp vanilla

1 c sugar                                                           3 1/2 c flour

1 egg                                                                 

Directions:

1. In large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla; beat well. Add flour 1 cup at a time; mix well. Dough will be soft. Do not refrigerate.

2. Fill cookie press, fitted with disk of choice, with dough. Press dough onto cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Decorate cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired.

3. Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until firm, but not brown. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet; remove and let cool completely on wire racks.