Christmas Spritz Cookies

I wanted to share something that really sparks some Christmas cheer at my house during the holiday season, which of course means cookies!  I’m not really sure when this tradition started, but all I know is now we can’t go a year without! 

We call them “spritz cookies” comparable to a sugar cookie, but with a slight short bread vibe. (Sorry describing things isn’t exactly my best skill) I can tell you this for sure; they are absolutely delicious.  My dad is usually the one that makes them every year, and in past years he has even colored them and made them into adorable little shapes.

           

I would also like to note that this isn’t an old family recipe, we aren’t THAT creative! J It’s featured in an older Betty Crocker cookbook that my parents were given when they got married. I really encourage you all to try out this recipe; they make a really great Christmas gift!

Prep Time: 25 min; Bake Time: 45 min

Makes about 30 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup stick butter, softened*

½ cup sugar

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour**

1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

Few drops red or green food color, if desired

•     Heat oven to 400˚ F
•     Mix butter and sugar in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients.
•     Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheet.
•      Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until set but NOT brown. IMMEDIATELY remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

* Don’t use margarine or vegetable oil spreads.

** Do not use self-rising flour in this recipe.

The Best Christmas Playlist of All Time

As I explained in my last post I have a true love for Christmas, and all the music that comes along with it.  I love pretty much all Christmas music that there is, whether it’s the classic “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby or the new “That’s Christmas to me” by Pentatonix, it can make my heart swell with nostalgic holiday vibes.  As I sat here thinking about what I wanted to write today, I decided why not share with you some of my all time favorite Christmas songs?! All of these songs that I show you here are just a small snippet of what’s on my massive Spotify playlist (it’s up to 3 hours, woops!) Enjoy.

o   It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams

o   Snow Globe by Matt Wertz

o   Believe by Josh Groban

o   It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Michael Bublé

o   That’s Christmas to Me by Pentatonix

o   Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! By Dean Martin

o   All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

o   Papa Elf by John Debney

o   Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

o   Baby it’s Cold Outside by Dean Martin

o   Mele Kalikimaka by Bing Crosby ft. The Andrews

o   Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

o   White Winter Hymnal by Pentatonix

Obsessive Christmas Disorder

You could ask anybody that knows me, and you would quickly find that I suffer from OCD (Obsessive Christmas Disorder). I am an absolute freak when it comes to anything Christmas-y.  I just can’t help it! Everything that comes with the holiday season makes me so happy, so why would I not go overboard?!  

For me, the first day of the Christmas season isn’t the day after Thanksgiving, but instead November 1^st!  It takes a good 2 hours into the month of November, and I’m already blaring all of the Christmas music, and starting to put up all of my Christmas decorations.  In my mind I think of it as “why waste time in the awkward waiting time between Halloween and Thanksgiving sitting and doing nothing?! CHRISTMAS TIME IS AMONG US MY FRIENDS, LETS GO!  

The only problem with my “slight” obsession with Christmas is that not everyone feels the same way on this topic.  If you’re anything like all of my family members, then you think that Christmas isn’t meant to be celebrated until post-thanksgiving.  In fact, if you do feel that way, you probably are cringing as you read this.  The thought of me blaring Christmas music without headphones probably makes you want to punch me through your computer screen. THE BEST WAY TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER IS TO SING ALOUD FOR ALL TO HEAR! DUH!!!

I do apologize for my annoying obsession with the holiday season; trust me I know it’s a lot to take in.  I do warn you though, because this is one of the many Christmas blog posts I plan to cram into the months of November and December (You have been warned! J)  Tis the season friends! Let the holiday blog posts begin!