It's time to start thinking about Christmas cookies, and my Christmas baking kicked off this weekend with my first-ever attempt at making those buttery spritz cookies using a cookie press. This was so easy, I should have tried it sooner!
I was inspired when I cleaned out the pantry a few weeks ago and discovered a Wilton Cookie Pro cookie kit I got for Christmas several years ago.
First, I mixed up the simple butter cookie recipe and chose a shape from among the discs included in the box. Soon, I was squeezing the trigger of the cookie press and watching pretty little bits of dough appear.
A few sprinkles later, and voila, Christmas cookies!
I made Christmas tree-shaped cookies too, and it couldn't have been easier. With some tea, these small buttery treats made a perfect snack. The more "experimental" ones were for my husband and me to enjoy, and the prettiest ones have gone in the freezer for Christmas gift-giving.
Next, I want to try one of the many delicious options in the new magazine I found at the grocery store the other day, 100 Best Cookies. On the cover, I really like that first zero in "100" at the top, a little thumbprint cookie with a dab of caramel in the middle.
Tea lovers will appreciate the feature on ways to dress up madeleines, and there are also 10 recipes for shortbread, including a Red Velvet Shortbread Cookie that looks wonderful. I've thought about it, and a good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie is probably my favorite kind of cookie, but what's yours? If you were to get a gift of cookies, what would you hope it included? I'd like to surprise a few friends with cookies this year, and it occurred to me you all might give me some good advice!
I agree about chocolate chip -they aren't as pretty but you can' tube at the taste. A good shortbread comes in second, I guess, although it's close. Your cookies are beautiful, though, that cookie press is a neat gadget! I bet they are pretty tasty, too.
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to say "can't beat the taste" - sorry!
ReplyDeleteHow timely Angela. I pulled out my cookie press to take shortbreads to our garden club pot luck supper yesterday. I must be out of practice, as I had a heck of a time to get perfect looking cookies using the same flower shape you did. Could have been the new dough recipe I used. I love making madeleines but end up eating most of them myself. Have you frozen them before?
ReplyDeleteIf I were to receive cookies, a good shortbread is a must, biscotti are a favourite too. Not hard to tell I like something plain with my tea!
Lynn used her cookie press to make snowflake cookies for my Christmas in August Tea. My mother always made thumbprint cookies at Christmas. Some had red centers and others had green. Aunt Mary always made a fruitcake type of cookie. Oh, how I miss those.
ReplyDeleteI make spritz cookies every Christmas (little trees, of course.) I've had my press for eons. It's the old fashioned kind, where I have to turn the hand to push the dough out. I tend to like cookies that have a bit of fruit in them (orange rind, lemon zest or something). My son loves those with chocolate. My husband likes coconut. And my daughter loves cookies with nuts or that are topped with a dollop of jam So by the time we make one of two favorites for each person, we have quite a selection. :-)
ReplyDeleteAngela, if I was to come to a family holiday and didn't bring my lemon or cherry cheesecake bars, I would be disowned!! But to receive a favorite cookie, it would have to be my friend's double chocolate cherry cookies, drizzled with more chocolate!
ReplyDeleteSusan T. from Ohio
Judith, I haven't tried to freeze madeleines before, because I've always made them right before teatime so they all got eaten!
ReplyDeleteA very good, and simple cookie is the heath bits one. I think the recipe is on the package of bits. They freeze well and make a lot. Great for giving, one man I know keeps asking for more every time I talk to his wife.
ReplyDeleteHi Angela, Spritz cookies are my favorite. However I have broken many a press trying to make them. My 1981 recipe says to chill the dough first. I even checked a new version. Well, watching Martha one day making them, she said, no need to chill the dough. So I took out my mothers copper press from a copper party, remember those, and tried it. Perfect cookies every time. Now my husband and dog do not have to leave the house when it is time to make spritz cookies!
ReplyDeleteYour spritz cookies look so festive! Some of those alongside some chocolate chip cookies and I'd be happy!
ReplyDeleteI love making Spritz cookies. I would suggest that if you want to tint them, use the Wilton icing gel in the little pots. I incorporate that in with my butter at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteMMMM!
ReplyDeleteAngela you are derailing any attempt I am making to get down to my crime-fighting, handsome mild mannered dude weight of something. Keep Alex away from them. You know how he gets.
ReplyDeleteOh it is beginning to look like Christmas! Love your cookies. I haven't made these for oh so long. Not sure I even have the cookie press any longer.
ReplyDeleteI have a cookie press that I bought at a Pampered Chef party years ago, and it's never been out of the box!
ReplyDeleteThat's because my daughter usually bakes the Christmas cookies to bring on Christmas Eve. I love Russian Tea Cakes, Pecan Tassies, and decorated Sugar Cookies. I also like lemon bars and 7 layer bar cookies. There probably isn't a cookie that I don't like! ;-)
I too have a cookie press I've never used. Might be good for the kids to try this year. I need to make madeleines too, I haven't used my pan in ages.
ReplyDeleteWhen I make cookies to give I like to give a variety.