Christmas Spritz Cookies

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Serves: 60

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄4 cups powdered sugar
• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1  large egg
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
•  green food coloring (optional)
•  red glazed cherries (optional)
•  green glazed cherries (optional)
•  decorative candies (optional)

• Icing

• 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
• 2  tablespoons milk (plus additional, if needed)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon  almond extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place flour and salt in medium bowl; stir to combine.
3. Beat powdered sugar and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in egg, almond extract and vanilla.
5. Gradually add flour mixture--mix until well blended.
6. Divide dough in half.
7. If desired, tint half of dough with green food coloring.
8. Fit cookie press with desired plate (or change plates for different shapes after first batch).
9. Fill press with dough; press dough 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
10. Decorate cookies with cherries and assorted candies, if desired.
11. Bake 10-12 minutes or until just set.
12. Remove cookies to wire racks; cool completely.
13. Prepare Icing, if desired.
14. Pipe or drizzle on cooled cookies.
15. Decorate with cherries and assorted candies, if desired.
16. Store tightly covered at room temperature or freeze up to 3 months.
17. --Icing--.
18. Place all ingredients in medium bowl; stir until thick, but spreadable. (If icing is too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon additional milk).