Butter Cookies

For as long as I can remember, it has been a family tradition to make these cookies every year at Christmas time.  When we were kids my mom made what seemed like hundreds of them and filled tins with them and gave them to all our teachers as gifts.  I honestly can't think of a year that these cookies didn't make an appearance.  As I got older and moved out I always continued to make them.  Because it just isn't Christmas without these cookies!

Some people call these Spritz Cookies.  We've always just called them Butter Cookies.  They are so light and delicate and so delicious!  You can really decorate them any way you want.  Some people add food coloring to the dough.  Eating green cookies seems weird to me so I choose to just leave them white and top with colored sugar and red hots. 

You will need a cookie press to make these.  There are lots of different kinds out there but my favorite is this one by Wilton.  It does take a little bit of practice and patience, but once you get the hang of it you'll have tons of cute little cookies in no time!

These cookies freeze perfectly which means you can start baking in advance.  Just wrap them carefully because they break easily.

Butter Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
1 egg
2 1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract

Cream butter.  Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and almond extract.  Gradually blend in flour.  Fill cookie press with dough.  Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Yield: about 7 dozen