Festive Almond Press Cookies
These delightful almond-flavored press cookies add a touch of crisp festivity to your holiday celebrations. A cherished family recipe originally from the Mirro cookie press cookbook, these cookies are noted for their vibrant colors and irresistibly crisp texture, achieved by using shortening. Traditionally shaped into Christmas trees and wreaths in Great Aunt Gin's signature green and pink hues, they allow for creative expression through color and decoration. Remember, precision is key: sift your flour before measuring to ensure the perfect dough consistency. Enhance your holiday baking with this time-honored classic!
72
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
shortening
1 (cup, softened)
sugar
3/4 (cup, granulated)
egg
1 (unbeaten)
flour
2 1/4 (cups, sifted before measuring)
salt
1/8 (teaspoon)
baking powder
1/4 (teaspoon)
almond extract
1 (teaspoon)
food coloring
varies (as needed for desired hue)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening until smooth, gradually adding the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3
Add the unbeaten egg to the mixture and blend well.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Carefully measure the sifted flour before adding it to the wet ingredients, ensuring the dough remains pliable.
5
Stir in almond extract and desired food coloring a few drops at a time, mixing until evenly combined.
6
Load the cookie dough into a cookie press fitted with your chosen pattern plate (such as a tree or wreath).
7
Press the cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them evenly apart. Decorate with tiny multi-colored sprinkles or sugar as desired.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a light golden color without over-baking.
9
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool slightly on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely and avoid breaking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Almond Press Cookies?
They are almond-flavored press cookies known for their crisp texture and festive holiday appearance.
Where does this cookie recipe originate?
This family recipe was originally sourced from the Mirro cookie press cookbook.
What is the secret to the perfect dough consistency for these cookies?
The key is to sift the flour before measuring it to ensure the dough remains pliable.
Why is shortening used in this recipe instead of butter?
Shortening is used to achieve an irresistibly crisp texture and to help the cookies hold their pressed shape.
What traditional shapes are recommended for these cookies?
They are traditionally shaped into Christmas trees and wreaths.
What colors are traditionally used for Great Aunt Gin's version?
Great Aunt Gin traditionally used signature green and pink hues for her cookies.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How should the shortening and sugar be combined?
Cream the shortening until smooth, then gradually add the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Do I need to beat the egg before adding it to the dough?
No, the egg should be added to the mixture unbeaten.
Which dry ingredients are sifted together?
The flour, salt, and baking powder should be sifted together in a separate bowl.
When should the almond extract be added?
Stir in the almond extract after the flour mixture has been incorporated into the wet ingredients.
How should food coloring be applied to the dough?
Add food coloring a few drops at a time, mixing until the desired hue is evenly achieved.
What equipment is needed to shape the dough?
A cookie press fitted with chosen pattern plates is used to shape the dough.
Should the cookie sheets be greased?
No, you should press the cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Can I decorate the cookies before baking?
Yes, you can decorate them with tiny multi-colored sprinkles or sugar before putting them in the oven.
How long is the baking time for these cookies?
The cookies bake for 6 to 8 minutes.
What visual cue should I look for to know they are done?
The cookies should reach a light golden color; be careful not to over-bake them.
How long should the cookies stay on the sheet after baking?
Let them cool slightly on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before moving them.
Why is it important to use a wire rack for cooling?
A wire rack allows them to cool completely and helps avoid breaking the crisp cookies.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes approximately 72 servings.
What type of flour measurement is required?
The recipe requires 2 and 1/4 cups of flour that has been sifted before measuring.
How much sugar is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
What is the amount of almond extract used?
One teaspoon of almond extract is used for flavoring.
Is there any salt in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
What is the role of baking powder in this recipe?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder as a leavening agent.
Can the dough be customized with different colors?
Yes, the instructions encourage creative expression through various colors and decorations.
What is the amount of shortening required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of softened shortening.
Should I use a specific pattern for the cookie press?
You can use any chosen pattern plate, though trees and wreaths are traditional for the holidays.
What is the primary flavor profile of these cookies?
The primary flavor profile is almond.
How do I ensure the cookies don't break after baking?
Allow them to cool slightly on the sheet before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.