Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wee-Bit-O-Mint Spritz Cookies

Here's a super simple shamrock cookie for St. Patrick's Day. It's basically a standard Vanilla Spritz with a third of an Andes Mint slightly melted in the center. I like to just lay the mint on the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven, there's just enough heat to soften the candy but you still see the green.
May the luck of the Irish be with you... 
and your Spritz stick to the cookie sheet and not spread out too thin:@)
If you'd like to make the cookies but don't have Andes Mints you can substitute a little peppermint or spearmint extract to your batter and you'll have a very nice cookie that way too. And no kid has ever turned down a cookie with a green M&M in the center either!

In hindsight: I'd cut the mints into smaller pieces and sprinkle them in the center going forward, it would be cuter:@)

Basic Vanilla Spritz-came with my old metal Mirro Cookie Press 
1 C shortening and/or butter-any combo of the two, I used half and half
3/4 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 C A/P flour, sifted
1/2 tsp salt-I don't use this
1/4 tsp baking powder
food coloring-optional
Andes Mints unwrapped and cut in thirds-optional
  1. Cream shortening/butter and sugar well. 
  2. Beat in egg and vanilla. If using food coloring I add it now.
  3. Gradually blend in dry ingredients which have been sifted together.
  4. Fill press and form cookies on ungreased (not non-stick) cookie sheets.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes-I used 400 degrees and 8 minutes for my oven.
  6. Once out of the oven top each cookie with a third of an Andes Mint if using. If the candy doesn't melt a little and appear like it's sticking to the cookie you can put them back into the oven for a nano-second, but keep an eye on them. 
  7. Remove to cooling rack.
My tip: A good spritz cookie dough will feel like soft Play Dough, you should be able to easily pick it up and form it into a log to insert it into the press.

Let's dust off that cookie press and have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits

20 comments:

  1. These look yummy! If only I had a cookie press.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those are very cute! Thanks for the tip..It is no wonder mine never worked out as my dough was way too thin, nothing like play dough at all!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lynn, these are so pretty and look really tasty. I may have to borrow my mom's cookie press. :) Thanks for sharing this; I'm looking forward to St. Paddy's Day!

    XO,

    Denise at Forest Manor

    ReplyDelete
  4. Forget the kids! I'm going for the Andes Mint!!

    Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi lovely lady.
    It's been a long time missing you. Your cookies look so YUMMY. I hope you have a wonderful week with your family.
    XXOO Diane

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your spritz, still wish I had my old metal cookie press, and the little cookbook that came with it. Andes comes in lots of flavors, too. xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those are too dang cute! I just love anything bite sized :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those look good, Lynn. Very cute too. Thanks for sharing your St. Paddy's day cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aren't those the cutest shamrocks?? I think I need to make some. You're always an inspiration, Lynn! You should be The Official Cookie Press Spokesperson! xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. So cute!! And...I have a spritz cookie maker I have yet to use!! Hum!! Might be making these!!
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh...and a basket full of Irish Luck to you.
    Love these cute little green shamrock cookies and perfect mint/chocolate topper.

    ReplyDelete
  12. oh, yummy - these look delicious. perfect for st. patty's day. ( :

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love Andes mints...on a cookie makes it even better!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I say this every time you do this kind of cookie: I NEED TO GET A COOKIE PRESS. These are so cute, and I guarantee they taste delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have 2 cookie presses.....I would give Debbie one if I could!
    Another recipe for spritz cookies, yay!
    Lynn, check this out. I thought of YOU when I saw it. A cake made of pigs in a big (Chocolate) mud bath!
    http://simplepimple.com/2013/02/pigs-chocolate-cake-recipe/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sure an begorrah, they look delicious!

    Magically delicious! :) Oh wait, that's Lucky Charms.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lynn~ Adorable spritz cookies! The warm Andes mint in the middle of the shamrock is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. These look sooooo good! The mint on top takes to a new level! Happy Thursday from the enchanted oven.
    xo,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am really glad I no longer have a cookie press, or I'd be whipping up some of these little goodies -- they look so yummy and are so cute!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by-enjoy your day!