I posted this recipe a couple of years ago. It’s a family favorite. When I was growing up, my Dutch father would make spritz cookies throughout the Christmas season.

My six brothers and sisters and I all loved to help.

The buttery smell of the cookies warm from the oven is a great memory and something I can recreate in my own kitchen. The cookies are relatively simple to make and fun to decorate:

SPRITZ COOKIES

Equipment: Cookie-press or pastry bag
Ingredients
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. unsalted butter
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt (or less)
Directions
Blend butter and sugar together until smooth. Add two egg yolks and extract and blend. Sift or whisk with a fork the flour and salt, then add to the butter-egg mixture and blend until combined well.

Chill (at least thirty minutes).

Using whatever shapes you like, put the chilled dough through the cookie-press (or pastry bag) onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Re-chill the dough if it becomes too soft and sticks.

Preheat oven to 350 F. and bake cookies for about 10 minutes, until just golden brown. Let cool and decorate with sprinkles or enjoy plain.