Holiday Spritz Cookies

If there is one Christmas cookie that just looks joyous and festive it is the Holiday Sprtiz Cookie.  They are so simple to make.  You do need a cookie press.  You can find cookie presses basically at any place that carries baking needs.  You can use food coloring and color your cookies different colors.  You can put icing on them or use sprinkles to make them colorful and cheerful.  This super simple recipe came from Betty Crocker's Best Christmas cookbook. 

HOLIDAY SPRITZ COOKIES 

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract or vanilla
• few drops of food coloring if desired

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Beat butter, sugar and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients
4. Place dough in cookie press.  Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until set but not brown.

6. Immediatley remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool completely.

BUTTER RUM GLAZE 

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. rum extract or vanilla
• 1 to 2 TB. hot water
• food coloring

1. Melt butter in sauce pan; remove from heat.
2. Stir in powedered sugar and rum extract.
3. Stir in a bit of water until glaze is desired consistency.
4. Tint glaze with food coloring if you wish to match cookies.