Holiday Treats 4!

Number 4! Again another that calls for a special tool to make but with these its not necessary- just makes them cute and fun for the kids to help out even more! We had a hard time keeping the sprinkles on these until a few years ago when my mom saw a tip- corn syrup! (yeah I know let's add MORE sugar! But hey this is for a special occasion and it's ok to indulge sometimes.) So the trick- warm a bit of corn syrup and brush over the top of cooled cookies and then add the sprinkles. They stick like glue! This also works for frosted, decorated, finished cookies (the ones the kids put so much time into making personal!)- again just brush on warmed corn syrup over the the frosting and it creates a seal much like store bought versions, and then add the extras (eyes, nose, sprinkles, red hots, gum drops- what ever sparks your fancy!). So number 4.......

Spritz Cookies!

Ingredients:

1 lb butter (don't use substitutes!)

1 cp sugar

2 eggs

2 tsps vanilla extract

4 cps flour

1 tsp baking soda

1. In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, and vanilla.

2. In separate bowl- combine flour and baking soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well.

3.Shape with cookie press (if you don't have a cookie press- as I don't, I usually make these w/my mom who does have one BUT have made them alone- you can just to a small drop cookie of dough, flatten slightly with a fork). Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325* F for 12-15 mins or till light brown. Cool, decorate as desired.

Makes about 66 small spritz. These usually come out as one biters! So make lots....they go fast, with all their sweet buttery goodness!