Spritz Cookies With Variations Americas Test Kitchen Recipes

SPRITZ COOKIES WITH FOUR VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°.
• Combine all ingredients except flour in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour. Beat until well mixed. If dough is too soft, cover and refrigerate, 30 to 45 minutes.).
• Place dough into cookie press fitted with template. Form desired shapes 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
• Chocolate Chip Spritz: Add 1/4 cup coarsely grated semi-sweet chocolate to ingredients and proceed as directed above.
• Eggnog-Glazed Spritz: Add 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg to ingredients and proceed as directed above. Glaze: Stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter, 2 tablespoons water and 1/4 teaspoon rum extract in small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over warm cookies.
• Spice Spritz: Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves to ingredients and proceed as directed above. Glaze: Stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over warm cookies.
• Mint Kisses: Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to ingredients and proceed as directed above. Immediately after removing cookies from oven, place 1 chocolate candy kiss on each cookie.

BUTTERY SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter, 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar and salt until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and extracts. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture., Using a cookie press fitted with a disk of your choice, press dough 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set, 6-8 minutes (do not brown). Remove to wire racks to cool completely., If desired, dip in melted chocolate and let stand until set or, in a small bowl, mix remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar and enough water to reach desired consistency. Dip cookies in glaze; decorate as desired. Let stand until set.