Holiday Spritz Cookies

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red and green food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles or nonpareils for decoration

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 2 hours (includes chilling time)
• Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing well.
4. Add the vanilla extract and mix.
5. Divide the dough into separate bowls and add red and green food coloring to create colored doughs (optional).
6. Cover the doughs and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
8. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to desired thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
9. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
11. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming 8 cookies)

• Calories: Approx. 250 calories per cookie
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 3g

Dish Characteristics:

• Crispy and buttery texture with a hint of vanilla flavor.
• Vibrant colors make them ideal for the holiday season.
• Can be customized with different shapes and flavors.

User Comments:

1. "These cookies are delicious! The colors are so festive and they were a hit at my holiday party."
2. "I love how easy this recipe is to make, and the cookies are so cute with the sprinkle decoration."
3. "These cookies are perfect for the holidays, they have a great flavor and texture."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours to ensure it's firm enough to handle and cut into shapes.
• Use non-stick cookie sheets or lightly grease the baking sheet to prevent the cookies from sticking.
• Adjust baking time according to your oven and the thickness of your cookies to ensure they are not overbaked or underbaked.