Holiday Spritz Cookies ( Anna Olson's Spritz Cookies)

Preheat oven to 350.

Using an electric beater beat butter and sugar - I beat until nice and fluffy.

Add egg yolk and almond extract; beat well.

Add 2 1/4 cups of the sifted sifted flour over the butter mixture with wooden spoon or mixer on low.( a wooden spoon works best for me) thoroughly incorporate the flour and form dough into a ball.

NOTE: if dough is too sticky add 2 - 4 tablespoons flour - chill dough before moulding ( I cover bowl and chill in the fridge for 1/2 an hour) a chilled baking pan makes forming cookies much easier.

If using cookie press, press on sheet, wait a few seconds, then twist the press slightly as you lift it straight up.

NOTE: if dough is too stiff to press out beat another egg yolk into the dough - (moulding by hand you may need to use all of the 2 1/2 cups flour - flour hands lightly makes moulding by hand easier).

If you don't have a cookie press form into 1/2 inch balls - push a cherry into the centre.

Brush cookies with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sugar; bake at 350 for 8 - 12 minutes or until golden around the edges.

Cool on a wire rack.Yield will vary as to size of cookies.