Copyright © 2000 Sarah Phillips Sarah Phillips, Inc. All rights reserved.
FRENCH MACARONS: French macaron cookies are made by piping the batter through a piping bag.
SPRITZ: Cookies are made by pressing dough through a disc with a pattern, resulting in a shaped cookie.
What holiday cookie assortment would be complete without Spritz? They are traditional Christmas cookies in Scandinavian countries and in many American homes and are especially popular at Christmastime.
SARAH SAYS: My mother made these every Christmas since I was little, and I make them now! My children both love these little butter cookies with milk. Be sure to use real and fresh butter, as this recipe depends on it for its flavor.
The name "spritz" comes from "spritzen," which is German for "to squirt or spray" and possibly originated in Germany. Spritz cookies are called that because they are made by dough being "pushed" or "squirted" from a cookie press. You'll notice that spritz cookie dough does not include leaveners, such as baking powder and baking soda or beaten egg whites. This is so cookie won't puff much or spread during baking. That's so the impressions that are made through the cookie press stay when the cookies are baked. A Norwegian tradition is to make them in shapes of S's and O's. Today, spritz cookies are formed into a variety of shapes still using a cookie press. Use the Christmas tree, dog, flower or star shaped disc and top each with a marachino cherry half before baking.
