Butter Cookies/Spritz Cookies

I've adored these cookies since I was a child. Every Christmas, my mom would make them using her cookie press, which had shapes like Christmas trees and wreaths. As I grew older, I started making them for friends and family each Christmas. Then I thought, why limit them to just Christmas? My press includes a variety of shapes that can be used throughout the year for any occasion or just for fun. So, I'd make hearts for Valentine's Day, flowers for a friend's birthday, or snowflakes when it was chilly outside! Currently, my daughter is part of a production in Austin, Texas, with Zilker Theatre Productions, performing "Bring It On: The Musical." It's fantastic, and if you're in Austin, there are only 8 shows left to catch it—it's a must-see! I digress... Anyway, I wanted to treat the cast and crew, and my favorite part of the show features a dancing mascot leprechaun. Fortunately, my cookie press has a clover shape, so I made clover-shaped cookies for the entire cast and handed them out after the show; they were a big hit. My lovely daughter even mentioned me on their Instagram story, and people asked for the recipe. I felt like a celebrity for a hot minute!!! So here it is! I hope you enjoy making delightful treats for your loved ones for years to come!

Here's a link to the cookie press I use, but you can also make these with a piping bag and a star tip.

Happy Baking!!!

Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 egg yolk

1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

16 Tablespoons of softened butter (2 sticks)

⅔ cup sugar

¼ tsp salt

2 cups flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 2  baking sheets with parchment paper

• Whisk egg yolk and heavy cream, and vanilla in a small bowl and set aside

• Using a stand mixer fitted with  a paddle, beat butter, sugar, and salt at medium-high heat until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes, scraping the bowl down as needed.

• With the mixer running at medium, add the egg yolk mixture and beat for 30 seconds.

• With the mixture running at low speed gradually add the flour until combined, scraping the bowl down as needed.  If desired you may add food coloring in after the flour is well combined.

• You may wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 4 days; before using, let it stand at room temperature until softened, about 30 minutes. 

• If using a cookie press to form cookies, follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill the press.

• If you don’t have a cookie press, you may alternatively use a piping bag with a star tip.

• Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes, but keep an eye on them as ovens cook differently.  They should not be browned. 

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  Bring It On Leprochon #ZilkerTheatreProductions

  
  

Here is a picture of Lucky McClover the Leprechaun!