Cookies... It's What's for Christmas

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas (Season, that is)!

Christmas things are in full swing here at Casa-de-Fabulous and I am on an absolute Christmas roll! That being said, there is one things that undeniably says Christmas to me, this year and every year: cookies.

Every year since I was a little girl, Santa has received the most delicious plate of cookies (and carrots -for the reindeer). Without my mom around the past couple of years, the traditions slipped a bit. I mean, we still love the cookies - it's just harder to get "into" baking some of the ones that require a ton of effort.

So last night I dusted of a favorite cookie recipe and I decided it would be fun for the next couple of weeks to share a few of my favorite Christmas cookies. Because nothing says "holidays" like not being able to button your pants.

Today I made what my family calls "Press Cookies" but I have heard them called "Spritz Cookies" by my friends. Either way, these cookies are SO easy but they do require a bit of hardware - namely, a cookie press. Our family still has our vintage cookie press from goodness knows when - it's vintage, that's for sure!

Told you it was ancient!!

The recipe is SUPER-simple - although I have to say - it doesn't make a ton of cookies. I have big cookie pans, but it filled up less than 3 full pans.

Press Cookies

• 1 Cup Shortening (I have used both butter and margarine)
  
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 2 1/4 Cups Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Almond Extract (NOT Vanilla Extract - this is important!)

Cream butter and sugar in a mixer until well blended. Then add egg and dry ingredients. Done.

Add food coloring if desired, but be warned that it permanently alters the texture of the cookie - making it more brittle and less soft.

Then, fill your cookie press and press out the cookies onto an UN-greased baking sheet.
Decorate to your heart's content.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until the edges become golden brown. (Or if you're like me, bake for 9ish minutes because I like them soft. And don't call me if you get salmonella or whatever raw cookie dough gives you. Allegedly.)

Cool on baking racks and then eat.

The End.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to share a few more family favorite cookie recipes. If you are interested in getting a shout-out to your favorite cookie recipe, just leave me a comment with a link to your cookie post and I will link to you in my next cookie post.

What are YOU favorite Holiday Cookies? I'd love to hear about them!!