Swedish Spritz Cookies

AB_Fan's Note:

For these you will need a cookie press. The Spritz Cookie Press works a lot like a Play-Doh toy, and usually comes with an assortment of round disc templates for squirting out stars, hearts, pinwheels, shamrocks, Christmas trees, deco braid, and camels (watch out, they spit!) One cookie press we have found that works well is the Classic Cookie Professional Cookie Press by VillaWare.

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 6 dozen c ...

• 1 ½ cups butter (low fat margarine does not work well in this recipe) or 1 ½ cups margarine (low fat margarine does not work well in this recipe)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together.
2. Add the egg and the vanilla and almond extracts. Beat well.
3. Sift together the flour and the baking powder. Add to the liquid mixture slowly, mixing until smooth.
4. Do not chill the dough!
5. Force through the cookie press.
6. Decorate with colored sugar crystals before baking.
7. Bake at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.
8. You can add food coloring to the dough before making cookies if you'd like. Green Christmas Trees and Red Hearts look very nice on Santa's plate!