Dipped Pecan Spritz

By

From Taste of Home

With their pretty shapes, these treats look lovely at the center of the cookie plates I arrange for all our Christmas gatherings...and they are always the first to disappear. This is my husband's favorite Christmas cookie.

  • 12

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Almond Extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely ground pecans
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening, divided
  • 3/4 cup vanilla or white chips
  • Colored sprinkles

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat
in egg and extracts. Combine the flour, pecans and baking powder;
gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Using a cookie press fitted with disk of your choice, press dough 2
in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 5-7
minutes or until set (do not brown). Remove to wire racks to cool.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and 3/4 teaspoon shortening;
stir until smooth. Melt vanilla chips and remaining shortening at
70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to
20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Dip half of the cookies halfway in semisweet mixture; allow excess to
drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Dip remaining cookies
halfway in vanilla mixture; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed
paper and sprinkle coated area with colored sprinkles. Let harden.