Just in time for Valentines Day – my favorite cookies with a strawberry twist. These are the best cookies in the world to make with kids because the dough does not need to chill, and you shape the cookies with a cookie press (which everyone needs!) – no rolling, no floury messes! AND the cookies are bite-size, so the kids can have 2 and think they really got a treat. And did I mention that one batch makes about 84 cookies??? It’s strawberry season in Florida, so I experimented with my recipe today, and it turned out soooo yummy!!
Basic Spritz Cookie (from Better Homes & Garden Cookbook)
1 1/2 cups butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add sugar and baking powder. Beat till combined, scraping bowl. Beat in egg, vanilla, and if desired, almont extract til combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can. Stir in remaining flour.
2. Force unchilled dough through a cookie press onto ungreased cookie sheet. Add sprinkles or colored sugar if desired. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or till edges are firm, but not brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack cool.
Makes about 84 cookies.
STRAWBERRY GOODNESS VARIATION: I added a handful (1/2 cup maybe?) of chopped strawberries in with the egg and beat until combined. This made the dough a bit stickier, so I also added a bit more flour, not quite 1/2 cup until the dough had a good consistency to put into the cookie press. I bet if you had strawberry extract and used that instead of almond it would add to the strawberry goodness!!
CHOCOLATE LOVERS: reduce flour to 3 1/4 cups and add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with the sugar.
Happy Valentines Baking!!