Ina Garten Spritz Cookie Food

POMEGRANATE SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, pomegranate molasses, food coloring and orange zest. Reduce the mixer speed to medium low; beat in the flour mixture until incorporated. (The dough can be made a day ahead; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before filling your cookie press.)
• Fill a cookie press with the dough according to the manufacturer's instructions. Press cookies 1 inch apart onto 2 baking sheets. Decorate with nonpareils.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are set but not browned, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, loosen with a thin spatula and let cool completely on the baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.

SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 400 degrees F. Combine powdered sugar and shortening in a large bowl; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, salt, water, vanilla and almond extracts. Using a spoon, stir in flour until well mixed.
• FIT cookie press with desired template. Fill cookie press; press dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired.
• BAKE 7 to 9 minutes or until set, but not brown. Cool one minute. Remove to cooling rack.

HAZELNUT SPRITZ

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. A plain baking sheet need not be greased.
• Put the nuts into the food processor and grind them until very fine. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until light. Add the ground nuts and flour. Mix until smooth. Put the dough into a cookie press with a star or ridged tip and press into long, narrow strips. Cut into 4-inch pieces. Shape the strips into rings and place on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 minutes, just until lightly browned. Slide baked cookies on the parchment off the baking sheet onto the countertop to cool, or place onto a wire rack to cool.
• While the cookies bake, combine the chocolate chips and cream in a small glass bowl. Microwave at high power 1 minute at a time, or place over simmering water, stirring until melted. Dip cooled cookies in the chocolate so that ends are coated by 1/2 inch. Place on the parchment or on waxed paper to harden.

APEROL SPRITZER

Steps:

• For each drink, fill a 14- to 16-ounce tumbler three-quarters full with ice. Fill each glass two-thirds full with Prosecco, add 2 ounces of the Aperol, a splash of San Pellegrino, and an orange slice, and stir. Serve ice cold.

COOKIE GLAZE

Steps:

• Mix the confectioners sugar with 2 tablespoons of water until it forms a thin smooth glaze. Spoon the glaze onto each cookie then decorate with the sprinkles.