A classic recipe for buttery, tender Christmas Tree cookies made with a cookie press. This simple dough, flavored with almond extract, creates beautifully shaped holiday treats.

Author

Unknown


Recipe

MeasurementsIngredients
1 3/4 cupsShortening (See Note)
1 cupSugar
1Egg
2 3/8 cupsFlour
1/8 teaspoonBaking Powder
1 teaspoonAlmond Extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg and almond extract and beat well.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  6. If you want green trees, now is the time to mix in a few drops of green food coloring.
  7. Fill your cookie press with the dough and fit it with your desired disk (like a Christmas tree).
  8. Press cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with sprinkles before baking, if desired.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be set but not browned.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute before transferring them to a wire rack.

Note

The original recipe card lists “1 cup Shortening” and “3/4 cup Shortening” separately. This has been combined into 1 3/4 cups total. This is a very high ratio of fat to flour, which is characteristic of some vintage cookie press recipes designed to be very tender and easy to press.