Unchilled Spritz Cookie Dough Recipe
Description:
These delightful Unchilled Spritz Cookies have been a cherished tradition in many households, passed down through generations. Originating from the classic “Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book,” this recipe holds a special place in the hearts of those who enjoy baking during the festive season, particularly for Christmas. The dough, enriched with sweet unsalted butter and flavored with vanilla extract, offers a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture, making it a favorite among both children and adults. The versatility of this recipe allows for customization, as you can choose to color the dough to your liking or leave it plain. For a festive touch, consider creating two-toned cookies by using green and red dough. While the recipe allows for optional icing, it’s entirely up to you whether you prefer your cookies with or without this sweet topping.
Recipe Details:
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 80 small cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups sweet unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- For icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Milk (as needed for consistency)
- Food coloring (optional)
- Colored sprinkles (optional)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 69.6
- Fat Content: 3.6g
- Saturated Fat Content: 2.2g
- Cholesterol Content: 11.8mg
- Sodium Content: 6mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 8.8g
- Fiber Content: 0.1g
- Sugar Content: 4.6g
- Protein Content: 0.7g
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cream butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer on high speed for approximately 30 seconds until creamy.
- Combine ingredients: Gradually add 1 cup of flour, along with all of the granulated sugar, egg, baking powder, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). If desired, incorporate a few drops of food coloring at this stage.
- Mix well: Beat the mixture until all ingredients are well combined.
- Incorporate remaining flour: Gradually beat in the remaining 2 1/2 cups of flour until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Prepare cookie press: As the dough does not require chilling, proceed to fit a cookie press with a decorative plate.
- Form cookies: Force the dough through the cookie press onto ungreased cookie sheets, following the instructions provided with your press. Leave approximately 1 inch of space between each cookie on the sheet.
- Bake: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned. It’s important to note that these cookies will not develop a golden brown color when done.
- Cool: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before icing.
- Prepare icing: In a separate bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a small amount of milk until you achieve a spreading consistency. Add milk gradually to avoid making the icing too runny.
- Ice the cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the prepared icing, then into a bowl of colored sprinkles if desired.
- Allow to set: Allow the icing on the cookies to firm up before storing them in airtight containers.
- Storage: These cookies freeze well, making them a convenient treat to have on hand for unexpected guests or for enjoying throughout the holiday season.
Tips:
- Avoid overmixing the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- If using food coloring, start with a small amount and adjust until you achieve your desired color intensity.
- For two-toned cookies, divide the dough in half and color each portion separately before loading them into the cookie press.
- Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before icing to prevent the icing from melting.
- Store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container to prevent them from sticking together.
Reviews:
This recipe has received an impressive aggregated rating of 4.5 stars based on 6 reviews, highlighting its popularity and success among home bakers. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these Unchilled Spritz Cookies are sure to become a treasured addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
