So… don’t ask me how to say that first word, but I can teach you how to make the cookies! Spritzgebäck or Spritz Cookies are a Christmas (Holiday) favorite. There are many ways to make them. In fact the only way I ever knew how was with almond paste. But, the other day I had a huge craving for them and didn’t have almond paste on hand. So, I did what I do best and improvised. I turned my butter cookie recipe into an almond Spritz cookie recipe!

One great thing about these little beauties is that even if you don’t have a cookie press, you can make them however you want. Break out your cookie cutters, cut them in squares, roll them, twist them… get crazy!!! They do not grow in size so the options are endless. When it comes to baking, I generally don’t believe in having set rules. Unless we are talking science, you can’t change science. Well… actually in some cases you can.

Here’s what you will need:

COOKIE:

1 cup butter, softened

1-1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)

GLAZE:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

3-4 tablespoons water

Sprinkles, sprinkles, sprinkles!

Now what do you do?

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar and salt until light and fluffy. The color should change from yellow to a lighter yellow.
3. Beat in egg and extracts.
4. Gradually beat flour into butter mixture.
5. Using a cookie press fitted with a disk of your choice, press dough 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. Remember you can always use your trusty cookie cutters or knives to create the cookie of your choice. Depending on what you do, they make about 6 dozen cookies.
   

   

   The pan isn’t pretty I know, that just means it gets a lot of love!
6. Bake 6 minutes or until set, do not let them turn brown. Don’t be scared if they are still smushy, they will set 🙂
7. Remove to wire racks to cool.
8. In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar and enough water to reach desired consistency. Dip cookies in glaze and sprinkle!
   

   

Once you are all done let them settle, this only takes 20 minutes or so. From there, I am not going to tell you what to do. Remember what I said about rules? These cookies are so small and delicious, I am pretty sure I ate ten while I was decorating and packaging them up. So give them to your friends… or don’t!

Two things I would change about how I made these cookies: chocolate and booze. Interpret that however you want…