Quick Mix Spritz Food

QUICK MIX SPRITZ

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Mix the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut the shortening in until it resembles course crumbs.
• Measure the egg and add enough water to make 1/4 cup, beat together. Add egg and vanilla to crumb mixture; mix well.
• Put through the cookie press onto cookie sheets. Decorate with sprinkles or colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 -12 minutes or until very light brown and set.

QUICK MIX SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift flour, sugar, salt and baking powder together in a bowl.
• With a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles pie crust or biscuit mix (very fine lumps).
• Crack an egg into a glass, liquid measuring cup. A large egg will measure 1/4 cup. If it doesn't, add water to reach the 1/4 cup line.
• Add the egg, water (if needed) and the vanilla to the flour mixture and beat the mixture well.
• Fill cookie press and form cookies on ungreased cookie sheets (aluminum preferred for best heat distribution).
• Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are just set or very slightly browned. Check cookies at the 10 minute mark and bake 1-2 minutes longer, if needed.
• Remove immediately to cooling racks.

BUTTER SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and the egg and mix to incorporate; don't worry if the mixture seems to separate.
• Sift together the flour and baking powder and add to the creamed butter. Mix until combined. Using a cookie press, press the cookies onto ungreased baking sheets. Top with sprinkles of your choice. Bake until firm but not yet browning, 6 to 8 minutes. After a few minutes, move cookies to a rack and cool.

SPRITZ

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar, add egg yolk, almonds and extracts, beat again, until well blended. I like to beat for a few minutes at this point, . Blend the flour in gently a cup at a time, until the flour is completely incorporated. Be careful not to over mix, as this will toughen the cookies.
• Cool the dough slightly, if it is too warm, but don't chill for long, as the cookie dough will not cooperate with the press if it is too cold!
• Preheat oven to 375, press out the cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. I decorate with colored sugar or candied cherries which I cut into fourths.
• Bake for 7-9 mn. taking care not to brown them.