Classic Spritz Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
colored sugar or sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 375F. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed of electric mixer about 3 minutes or until creamy, scraping down sides as necessary. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add flour; mix on low speed just until blended, scraping down sides as necessary. (Dough will be soft; do not refrigerate.)

Fit Cookie Press with desired disk; fill with dough. Press dough onto cookie sheet 1 in. apart. Decorate cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool cookies 2 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough.

Yield: 6-7 dozen cookies.

Variation: Chocolate Spritz Cookies: Increase sugar to 1 1/4 cups. Decrease flour to 3 cups. Combine flour and 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder in medium mixing bowl; blend well. Proceed as recipe directs.