Desserts:

Swedish Spritz Cookies

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Each Dec. 13, Santa Lucia Day, I have a coffee for my dear girl friends. According to Swedish tradition, friends stop in that day for coffee and cookies -- and Christmas begins! God Jul!

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (or almond extract if you prefer)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and baking powder and gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill dough before using. Using the star disk of a cookie press, flow the dough out in a long, steady stream onto a marble slab or surface of your choice. Cut off enough dough to form a circle, the size of a cookie, and place it on wax or parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Keep the dough fairly chilled so it behaves. Bake at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes until edges are firm and very lightly browned; watch them closely.

Marion Elizabeth Erickson, Rock Island