Spritz Cookies

Made these for the first time today.  They are really good!  Have always liked them growing up, but finally had the chance to make a batch (or two). The key... as I am told... is to have a hand cranked sprtitzer.  The automatic sprtitz machine is too unreliable.  Cookie doughs change too much from batch to batch to have  a set mechanical way of making them.

Ingredients:
1 C Shortening (use the butter flavored stuff)
3/4 C Sugar
1 Egg
2 C Flour
1/8 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Almond Flavoring
Food Coloring (pick the color you want)

Start out with a medium sized mixing bowl.  If you use a stand mixer it works pretty nicely.  Add in the shortening, sugar, egg, salt, baking powder, and almond flavoring.  Mix until it is combined fully.

-Add in the flour one cup at a time.  When you are done, the dough should kinda look and feel like playdough.
-Add in the food coloring of your choice.

-If the dough is too try, try to add a bit more almond flavoring, or food coloring, or Shortening. Just a bit usually does it.
-If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour.  Don't get crazy. Usually only add a tablespoon at a time to check it.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

The first batch that you do on a pan... you should crisco the pan so that they don't stick.
These cookies are super easy, but they are also super finicky.  The size of the shape that you are making is going to change the time that the cookies cook and the amount that you need to put on the cookie sheet.  You will have to play with the time and the size a bit to get it right.  If you spritz out a cookie and it looks like crap, throw it back in the bowl.  If there is not much to the size of a cookie... cut the time way down.  If you are making cookie kind of like the ones pictured above... use the 8-9 minutes.

Usually for a decent sized spritz cookie it will take anywhere from 8-9 minutes.  BUT make sure you are keeping your eye on the cookies.  I like mine a little bit less done.  Some people like them with a bit more dark area.  You are going to have to play with the time and the size.

Take them off the pan as soon as they come out of the oven.  Otherwise they continue to cook.

They are really good cookies!  Have fun!

--Thanks Jack!