Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this, but if you’re mixing by hand, make sure to use a sturdy spatula. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and continue to mix until fully combined. The dough should be smooth and creamy at this stage.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be firm and a little sticky, but that’s exactly what you want for spritz cookies. If the dough is too soft, you can chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before using it in the cookie press.
4. Use the Cookie Press: If you have a cookie press, it’s time to use it! Fill the press with the dough and attach your desired disk to create festive shapes like Christmas trees, wreaths, or stars. Press the dough directly onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 1 inch apart. If you don’t have a cookie press, you can roll the dough into small balls and flatten them with the bottom of a glass or your fingers.
5. Decorate the Cookies: Before baking, add sprinkles or colored sugar on top of each cookie for a festive touch. This step is optional but adds a lovely pop of color to your cookies.
6. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. These cookies bake quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking. The centers should remain soft, and the cookies should hold their shape once baked.
7. Cool and Serve: Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies are best served once fully cooled, as they’ll firm up and become more delicate.
8. Enjoy: Your Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies are now ready to enjoy! Serve them as part of a holiday cookie platter, give them as a sweet gift, or enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire.
   

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