a little left over Christmas post

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

So, I saw Kim's post and the next thing I knew, I was buying this pattern searching my stash for this (shepherd worsted) yarn, and casting on.
I ended up giving it (reluctantly) to my mother in law. ( I really wanted to keep it.) If you are a first timer to cables, this is the project for you.
We use our cookie press to make cookies every Christmas. Just as my mother did for us and her mother did for her. Always using the camel, the tree and the wreath disc. This year we tried another disc after seeing a friends.
You press it into one long strip, sprinkle with the nonpareils, (which just by chance are small enough to get caught in the ridges and don't roll off your cookie sheet!) and then cut it into the size of the cookie you want. (All before baking.) These were a great addition. I also think these would be great for a birthday party.

Christmas Press Cookies:
1 cup butter::3/4 cup sugar::2 egg yoks::1 tsp almond extract::2 1/2 cups flour::1/8 tsp salt::1/4 tsp baking powder. Cream butter, sugar, egg, extract, flour, salt and b. powder. Mix. Add food coloring (optional). Press. Bake 375˚ for 8 minutes.
Almost 2010. SO hard to believe.

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53 comments

  1. Anonymous12/30/2009

    Oooh! I need to get me a cookie press! So pretty.

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  3. Everything about this post is scrumptious for sure. I couldn't bear to give away the neck warmer if it was me!

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  4. My cookie press and I did not get along this past Christmas...I think I need a metal one like yours! And that pattern-perfect for me to learn cables! Have a great New Year.

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  5. My cookie press only comes out once a year, too... LOVE the cookies, but man, is that press thingy a pain or what? I'm going to try your recipe in hopes it works a little easier and results in less cursing. Cuz that would be good. Hope you had a happy, happy holiday!

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  6. i make these! we call them christmas spritz cookies, and i have my mom's mom's press. makes me so happy to see these here. we use the wreath, the christmas tree, and the spiral flower one. i've never tried the camel...

    love that cowl, by the way.

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  7. These cookies look wonderful! I have a cookie press just like yours - my Mother bought it years ago with S&H green stamps! Made spritz a couple of weeks ago. The cowl looks great - I was just searching for a cowl - thanks!!

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  8. Oh goodness! We make press cookies every year too just like my grandmother did. We have the same press as you though it started putting bits of metal into the cookies a few years ago so we had to get a new plastic one. We did save the dies though because camels are not that common, in fact I've never seen another. We make our camels peanut butter.

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  9. Put me in the cookie press club. My mom gave me hers several years ago and we love it.

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  10. We call them Spritz cookies too! And though we have lots of shapes, we always end up with the trees and the stars.

    The shapes stay together better if the dough is chilled but then they are harder to press!

    That cowl is the definition simple elegance.

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  11. Beautiful cowl! I never knew what to do with that disc for my cookie press. Thanks for the tip!

    I always do trees and wreathes.

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  12. Anonymous12/30/2009

    My favorite cookies! ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  13. Since I trust your judgement so much, I immediately bought the pattern! Gotta love paypal and ravelry and instant download!

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  14. Love the cowl. I just finished one and need to block it before taking a pic. I'm already getting a start on 2010 Christmas gifts ;-) I'm in the mood for small knits, next up I'm finishing off my mystery socks that didn't get completed because of Christmas knitting!
    The cookies look yummy.

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  15. I also have that press! It was my Grandmother's and who knows before that! Thanks for your recipe.

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  16. You are sweet to give away the beautiful cowl, and cookie presses are the best! Happyness to you and your family! :)

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  17. What a pretty cowl! love the giant cables.

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  18. where can i buy that cool-looking cookie press ? and thanks for the receipe.

    love the neck warmer. well, u can jolly well knit another one, practise makes prefect...:)

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  19. Love the cowl! I've been on a cowl making binge the last few days -- must add this pattern to my queue.
    And the cookies look so good -- I couldn't find my cookie press this year (think I must have given it to DD), so I just ordered one on Ebay a couple of days ago. I'm making our traditional Christmas tree pressed cookies as soon as I get it, even if it is January ;-).
    Blessings to you & yours in the new year,
    G

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  20. Thanks for the cookie recipe. I love pressed cookies! I normally just do the wreath ones.

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  21. I love this! The cables are perfect for this piece...they elongate the neck region and work great for girls with short hair (like myself.) Nice work!!

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  22. Anonymous12/31/2009

    Lovely little neckwarmer, I would have probably been selfish and kept it for myself.

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  23. See now I'm going to need a cookie press!

    Happy New Year Leslie to you and your family.

    btw..thank you for the Christmas card. Lily thinks it looks like Libby is definitely in charge on the photograph - It has pride of place in her room! :)

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  24. This was the first year I didn't use my cookie press. Ran out of time. I think I should get it out in January...it will be a nice change.

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  25. I never get my dough the right consistency for the cookie press. Perhaps I'll try again with yours - they look wonderful!

    Happy 2010.

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  26. Just what I need, Leslie--more temptation to bake and knit!

    Are you and your camera gearing up for another year of photos a day at a time?

    Wishing you and yours a splendid 2010!

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  27. That's too pretty. And those cookies look yum. I could use some right about now!

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  28. that cowl is a lovely gift - i bet your mother-in-law was happy you decided to let it go!

    and i think i need a cookie press. we love nonpareils at our house!

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  29. Great. Now I need to get myself a cookie press.

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  30. I love that cwowl - Kim inspired me too - but I haven't cast on yet - but oh, I really should. Your looks so cozy and it was a gift - how nice is that? ack, so hard to part with. We forgot our cookie press this year - I love the little wooden stand you have to hold your pattern discs - perfect!

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  31. I wish you a Happy 2010 to you and all your family. I enjoyed knowing your blog.
    Love from Portugal :)

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  32. Wow. I love the look of the huge cable.

    I have a cookie press, but don't use it very often. My favorite cookies just won't work in it.

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  33. A cookie press!! Why do I not have one of these? Why did I not know about these? OK, need to get googling right away.

    Happy New Year Leslie, I have so enjoyed your blog this year.

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  34. Cookie presses are such a wonderful thing. That holder for the disks is terrific! I'm giving my husband marching orders towards the tools to make me something similar.

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  35. I bought a new cookie press a couple years ago after cursing the old one I'd had for years. Now that all our cookies have been given away, I may have to make more for tonight.

    That's a beautiful neck warmer! I can see why you'd have a hard time giving it away.

    Love your blog! So many great knitting ideas!

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  36. I do like those cables, lovely cookies too! have a wonderful new year. x

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  37. What a pretty knit. :)
    Wishing you a Happy New Year!

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  38. Happy New Year!!
    Those cookies looks so pretty :)
    We used to make someone similar with my grand mother when I was a kid :)

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  39. Very cool cowl - I might have to follow your lead :)

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  40. A very happy new year to you and yours. I remember eating cookies like that as a child.

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  41. I loved seeing the picture of your cookie press; I have exactly the same one (minus the nifty disk holder). I've tried new ones, but none are as good as the old one that I got from my mom. I love your blog and would greatly appreciate it if you would stop by mine and give me some tips. Love this whole blogging thing and hope to become more established. Anyhoo, Happy New Year, Wonderful 2010!

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  42. We had the same press growing up! We called them spritz cookies. What memories you just brought back!

    And we never had ANY idea what to do with that shape. I think you have just changed my life.

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  43. We lost our camel - alas! The new presses don't have camels and even though the dough tastes the same squeezed through a different shape, I miss it.

    That yarn is gorgeous and done up so well.

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  44. Man, I hope your mother-in-law doesn't read your blog! And pass the cookies, dammit.

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  45. Oh yes, the cookie press is a fave around this joint as well:)

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  46. Anonymous1/08/2010

    Just bought the pattern! EXACTLY what I was looking for BEFORE christmas but that's ok.

    I never knew what to do with that cookie press disc either. Now I know! Thanks!!

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  47. Love this pattern so much! Oh, and I really think the chart is right, not the written instructions. Yours is really beautiful. I think they make the perfect quick-knit gift as well.

    Those cookies look so yummy, but I think I'm done with the eating thing for awhile.

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