Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Mom's Pressed Cookies

 


One of our family's special Christmas traditions was enjoying Mom's Pressed Cookies.  She used her own spritz cookie recipe and an old Mirro Cookie Press.  After 60+ years of making these delicious treats, her press wore out.  We bought several newer models trying to find one that worked as well but none made them just the way she liked.  She passed away after the Christmas of 2010. 

Last year, I spied this cookie press at a local resale shop.  It seemed to have all of the pieces Mom's original had except the bottom foot section.  Mom's had two different feet, one taller than the other.  They determined the thickness of the cookies.  Disappointed, I passed it up but I thought about it for two weeks.  It was so close to the one Mom had.  Would it be worth the $10 asking price to see if it worked?  I decided to see if it was still there and give it a try.  It was and I snatched it up!!  After closer inspection, I realized there WAS a set of feet on the bottom!  That one would have to do.

 
It came in this little green box with a variety of mold plates and pastry tips plus a little instruction and cook book.  It's funny how you get used to things being just a certain way.  As luck would have it, this set included the three plates Mom always used to make the three different shapes of cookies. 
 
 
I made these cookies last Christmas and they passed the taste test with the family so I'm making them again this year!!
 
There are Christmas trees, completely decorated.


LOTS of trees.


And stars...
 
 
and poinsettias.
 
 
You can see the tins for storage in the back.
 
It's good to have something so perfectly familiar to continue one of our family's special Christmas traditions! 

 I wonder if Mom had something to do with finding this cookie press?  I'd like to think so!!

 
Here's her recipe.
 
Mom's Press Cookies (Spritz)
                  1 Cup Butter                                        1/2 Cup Sugar
                  1 Egg Yolk                                           1/4 teaspoon salt
                  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract              2 - 2 1/4 Cup Sifted Flour
 
Cream butter and sugar, beat in the egg yolk.  Beat in the vanilla.  Sift salt with flour and add to the batter.  Put through a cookie press on ungreased aluminum cookie sheets. Bake 8 - 10 minutes at 425 degrees F.
 
 
Does your family have a special Christmas or Holiday tradition?
 
 
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11 comments:

Alycia Nichols said...

Oh, my...this brings back such great memories! My Mom had a similar cookie press. I have no idea where it is now. She probably tossed it after I moved out since she never was the one to use it. (My Mom was never that much of a cook or baker.) i can remember my sister and I making spritz cookies during the Christmas holidays year after year. It was always something we looked forward to. I'm so glad you were able to go back and get that cookie press! You now can create new memories for members of your family!

Enjoy those cookies, and have the merriest Christmas ever!

Charla said...

The cookies look lovely! My mother always made pressed cookies, too. I have not tried them in years but you but the idea in my mind and I might just try some this year.

Anonymous said...

My mom had a similar press and your cookies remind me of my childhood! Merry Christmas.

My Garden Diaries said...

Just beautiful friend! Your cookies are works of art! My grandmother once made cookies just like this! Your post really brought back some amazing childhood memories for me! And thank you for sharing the recipe! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! Nicole xoxo

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Those cookies are adorable! I have a cookie press and I can't use it, I mean, I just can't.
Everything is beautiful like the lovely Lady of the Manor.
Thanks for your lovely visit, I appreciate you very much.
I wish you a great Christmas with your loved ones.
FABBY

Meghan said...

Reminds me of being a little girl & baking with my mom who was using her mom's cookie press.

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hello and thank you for visiting my Roslyn Heights post, it's always nice to hear from Missouri bloggers! :)
Your cookies are great, those things always taste so good too.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Gina

xinex said...

Beautiful cookies! I used to have a cookie press just like that. I wonder what ever happened to it!...Christine

Chatfield Court said...

My grandmother used one of those. I loved making Christmas cookies with her every year. Brings back so many good memories!

The Charm of Home said...

I always remember eating these at the church Christmas party! Wonderful post!
Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Karla King said...

What great memories you have brought back to me after reading about your story with your mother making the spritz/butter cookies. i have the EXACT same press handed down to me from my grandmother to my mother and then handed down to me. I have tried other presses but this press always make the best looking cookies.

Hope you have a Happy New Year....Thank you