Holiday Spritz Cookies

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.

Step 2

In large bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, 4 to 6 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium, add egg yolk and vanilla, and beat 5 min.

Step 3

Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Then, using spatula, fold dough until it forms a ball. If desired, use food coloring to tint some or all of dough.

Step 4

Fill cookie press according to manufacturer’s instructions. Hold cookie press so it touches a baking sheet (do not line or grease sheet), then squeeze and lift away, spacing cookies 1 inch apart (you will need at least 2 large baking sheets).

Step 5

Bake, rotating positions of baking sheets halfway through, until cookies are light golden brown around edges, 11 to 13 minutes. Let cookies cool 1 minute on sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 6

Decorate cooled cookies as desired with Royal Icing and sprinkles