Spritz Blossoms

ingredients

• 1-1/2  cups  butter, softened
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1    egg
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla
• 1/2  teaspoon  almond extract
• 3-1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1  recipe  Powdered Sugar Icing
•     Coarse sugar; silver dragees (optional)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.

2. Force unchilled dough through a cookie press fitted with a star or flower disk onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

3. Brush tops of cookies with Powdered Sugar Icing and, while still wet, sprinkle with coarse sugar. Place a silver dragee* in center, if desired. Arrange on waxed paper and allow to stand until icing is dry. Makes 80 cookies.

Powdered Sugar Icing: In a medium bowl stir together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and enough milk (2 to 3 tablespoons) to make a thin icing. Makes about 2/3 cup.

To Store: Layer cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room te