Christmas is a season of gifting and for some amateur bakers, like myself, who have the audacity and hubris to believe that our wares can be as good as those bought from the stores, it is also a time of happy frenzy as we pot around in our kitchen, churning out batches after batches of cookies and other sweet treats for friends and dear ones. For me, at least, the festival offers a legitimate excuse for me to indulge in my culinary expressions… L has commented that I would be making many people happy with my Christmas giveaways. I replied with my usual pragmatism, “I am not sure if I will be making them happy but at least I get to bake to my heart’s content and not have to eat them up by myself…” So, not quite the right attitude to embrace the season’s spirit but I swear, I try, I do…. at least I make the effort to conceptualise about what would delight others.
Last year, I gave away boxes of Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms. This year, the inspiration came from RasaMalaysia, Bee’s Spritz Cookies Post. Her post reminded me of a similar cookie press which I had bought almost a year ago when I was traveling in the US. That and of course, Bee’s ravings about the recipe made it difficult for me to resist baking this. It was an easy recipe and the cookie press effortlessly lends a cuteness to the cookies which I believe would be well received by all. The vision of a green Christmas Tree immediately had me reach for my new tub of Pistachio Paste. The first time I worked with the pistachio paste was with these financiers… The impression of those jade green crumbs remains vivid.
The full green pistachio spritz cookies were delicious with the sweet nuttiness from the pistachio. Embellished with a whisper of gold dust or a sprinkle of gold sprinkler beads completed the festive picture. Deciding to experiment a little more with my cookie press, I then dreamt up a dual flavour concoction by combining 2 strips of dough, one pistachio and one vanilla side by side and extruding them through the press. The result was delightful and I was really thrilled.
So, if you too, happen to have a cookie press lying somewhere in your cabinet, I urge you to rummage for it and give this a try. The fundamental recipe, as promised by Bee is wonderful and you can jazz it up with a little creativity. Happy Baking! Pin It
I will be submitting this post to Aspiring Bakers #14: Creative Christmas Bakes (December 2011).
- 280g (260g for pistachio dough) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 85g powdered sugar+15g sugar1/4 teaspoon salt
- 20g Pistachio paste (for pistachio dough)
- 310g all-purpose flour
- 110g corn starch
- 3 tablespoons milk powder
- 2 tablespoons full cream milk/whole milk ( I omitted this for the pistachio dough)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cream the butter with sugar and salt until fluffy. Add in egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.
- Add in pistachio paste (for pistachio dough) and mix until well incorporated.
- Add in the milk powder,milk, and mix well.
- Fold in the all-purpose flour and corn starch. Mix until the dough becomes soft and not stick to hands.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silplat. Transfer the cookie dough into the cookie press with your desired pattern. Ratchet the dough out onto the baking sheets. Make sure to leave some space in between the cookies. Top the cookies with some sprinkles and place the baking sheets in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. This will firm up the dough so the cookies will maintain their shape when baked. (For dual flavour cookies, form 1 strip of pistachio dough and 1 strip of vanilla dough. Combine them side by side along the length. Insert the combined dough into the cookie press and ratchet the dough as above)
- Bake for about 13-14 minutes, or until cookies are completely cooked through inside or turn slightly brown. Cool on rack.
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
this is really pretty
So pretty! I love those colours
looks really nice~
i wanna have a bite@
Shirley all your bakes are so elegant and classy. Like the baker herself is it?
Such a lovely Xmas bake. Are you interested to join this month Aspiring Baker – Creative Xmas Bakes. Check it out here > http://hankerie.blogspot.com/2011/12/aspiring-bakers-14-creative-christmas.html
@hankerie, sure! I will be happy to join in the fun!
@QuayPo – Aiyoh, no lah, I am far from elegant and classy lah! L says I am quirky
Oooh I so envy your friends LOL ;P
Beautiful bake Shirley…
Have a wonderful Christmas and 2012
Indeed! How unique are these cookies!! Shirley, whoever received them are blessed.
the cookies have very nice colors…i like both green tones…different tone gives different feeling…Classy and elegant ^o^
Shall we cookie swap??
Spritz are the best, totally reminds me of growing up. My mom made these every year and I got to decorate them. Yours look lovely.
pistachio spritz, how yummy is that?
beautiful, cute cookies!
You have photographed these beautifully! I have never seen pistachio paste..on the lookout~
Very pretty and I love the colours. Hope you and family have a great holiday season and a very Merry Xmas.
So very pretty! I love these cookies.
Oh Oh Oh! I love pistachiO!
Everyone needs a tub of pistachio paste in their pantry.
Actually I almost picked up a consulting job in Singapore so I might show up for Christmas. haha. kiddiing! I mean kind of. Not sure if it will happen or not. Save me some cookies just in case.
Such pretty cookies! They must taste so yummy with pistachio too!
How can you be a amateur baker ? You bake so well!
The cookies are so pretty and festive.
Beautiful bake and feel very festive seeing your cookies..eventhough i don't celebrate Christmas ^_^
Shirley..your cookies look good and love that green color
Here is me wishing you and family " Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year " Looking forward to more deliciousness from you next year 
I usually spend hours on the net reading blogs on various subjects. And, I really would like to praise you for writing such a fabulous article.I really like your way of information given.Thanks! ration MREs meals ready-to-eat
The green and white spritz cookies are inspired! The pistachio has me daydreaming about red spritz! Just lovely!
Hi I have prob using cookie press. Defective rate is high. The cookies will not stick to the baking sheet when I press out. I have tried using lined with parchment paper and unlined. Do you have this prob ? I use the cookie press fr Phoon Huat. Anyone else has the same prob?
Regards, Nicole
Nicole : I find that the consistency of the dough is very important. I don't have problem with this recipe. It gets more tricky when the dough is softer. A softer dough will not be suitable for cookie press. Try this recipe and see if you have problem.
I am in love with those cookies
. Yummy!
Love the colours!
Merry Christmas.
I always want to jump straight into my computer and eat your food. Seriously.
beautiful cookies and fotos Shirley!
Very happy to see your article, I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Thank you for sharing. At the same time,i love best pram very much..
I searched for something completely different, but found your website! And have to say thanks. Nice read. Will come back.
Very festive looking cookies! Have a great Christmas!
Beautiful! They look great.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hi Shirley,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family
those are beautiful!!
Beautiful Christmassy cookies. Merry Christmas!
Wishing you a very Blessed & Merry Christmas!
These are just gorgeous! The lucky receipents of your Christmas cookies must have been so thrilled!
yummy! looks great! merry x'mas!
jfnE06 This is one awesome blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.