Delicate buttery festive cookies (Printer Version)

Tender buttery cookies pressed into festive shapes accented with vanilla and almond extracts.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg, room temperature
04 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
06 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

→ Decoration (optional)

08 - Colored sanding sugar
09 - Chocolate for drizzling
10 - Sprinkles

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or leave ungreased if using nonstick.
02 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using; beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add flour and salt, scraping bowl sides, until a soft dough forms.
05 - Fill cookie press with dough and press cookies onto prepared sheets, spacing approximately 1 inch apart.
06 - Optionally decorate cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles before baking.
07 - Bake for 7 to 9 minutes until edges begin to turn golden.
08 - Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - If desired, drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They bake in minutes, so you can make dozens before anyone notices the first batch disappearing.
  • The dough stays soft and workable, which means less frustration and more time admiring your designs.
  • They're foolproof enough for kids to help but impressive enough to impress anyone watching.
02 -
  • Never chill this dough; the whole point is that it's soft enough to press, and cold dough will refuse to cooperate.
  • Room temperature butter and eggs aren't suggestions—they're requirements that actually change the chemistry of what you're making.
03 -
  • If your first batch doesn't look perfect, don't worry—every baker learns the exact pressure and angle their press needs, and that learning happens in real time.
  • Double the recipe if you're making these for a crowd; they disappear faster than you'd expect, and leftovers are just an excuse to eat them for breakfast tomorrow.
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