The Ultimate Spritz Cookie Recipe
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 cup butter or margarine -- softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
OR
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Currants raisins candies colored sugar,
finely chopped nuts, candied fruit or
fruit peel, if desired
Heat oven to 400º. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with currants.
Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until set but not brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. To decorate cookies after baking, use a drop of corn syrup to attach decorations to cookies.
The Ultimate Valentine's Day Cookie
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine -- softened
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 drops red food color
Heat oven to 400º. Beat powdered sugar, butter and vinegar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except food color. Divide dough in half. Mix food color into one half. (If dough is too dry, stir in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.)
Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered surface. Cut into heart shapes with various sizes of cookie cutters. Place smaller hearts on larger hearts of different color dough if desired. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until set but not brown. Cool 1 to 2 minutes; carefully remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Decorate with white and pink Decorator's Frosting (see recipe) if desired.
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