Spritz Cookies

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. 2
   Allow butter to slightly soften.
3. 3
   In medium-sized mixing bowl, mash with back of wooden spoon until creamy.
4. 4
   Blend in egg yolks, sugar and almond extract.
5. 5
   Add flour gradually, mixing well.
6. 6
   Mixture should be firm, yet soft enough to force through cookie press, following directions for making stars, snowflakes, etc.
7. 7
   If you don't have a cookie press, the mixture may be rolled into 3/4-inch balls, placed 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and flattened to about 1/4-inch thickness with bottom of a glass lightly dipped in flour.
8. 8
   Decorate cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles, bits of candied cherry, green citrus or other candied fruit.
9. 9
   To make colored sugar, mix a drop of red or green food coloring into 1/4 cup of sugar and stir thoroughly.
10. 10
    Bake Spritz cookies for about 10 minutes or just until light brown around the edges.