Holiday Cookies: Almond Butter Spritz

Whenever I need to make a large amount of a Christmas cookie for a school or church program, this is the recipe I pull out. They are very simple to make, fool-proof, and taste wonderful. The recipe makes several dozen. They also freeze perfectly so you can make them now and pull them out for Christmas. They have an almondy-butter taste that is heavenly. You will need a cookie-press:

Butter Spritz:
1 c. real butter
2/3 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1 t. salt
2-1/2-3-1/2 c. flour
1-1/2 t. almond extract

Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and extract; mix thoroughly. Add the dry ingredients and mix with hands. Dough will be like a stiff play-do consistency. If it's sticky to the touch, keep adding flour until you can roll it in your hand without it sticking at all. Otherwise it will be a pain in the neck to press out of the cookie press!:


At this point I usually cut the dough in half and add food coloring to one half. Pack it into your cookie press and press onto parchment-lined sheets in desired shape. Add sprinkles or candies as you please! Bake for 8 minutes in a 375 degree oven on the top shelf. Remove promptly and let sit on sheets for a few minutes, and then move to cooling racks.


The boys will be deer hunting this weekend, which means I'll be having some of those naked-broom-dancing kind of days here at home alone. How about naked baking? Or naked drawer-cleaning? Maybe naked Christmas shopping...online that is. Actually, in this weather, I think I'll stick to my old flannel pj bottoms and pink fuzzy slippers. That and a glass of hot chocolate with a candy cane stirring stick. Yes, this weekend will be just what I need! What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope it's great!

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