FRUIT-FILLED SPRITZ COOKIES

Fruit-Filled Spritz Cookies image

From the first time I baked these cookies, they've been a divine success. Old-fashioned and attractive, they make a perfect holiday pastry. —Ingeborg Keith, Newark, Delaware

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield about 7-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups chopped dates
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup ground nuts
DOUGH:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar, optional

Steps:

In a small saucepan, combine the first 5 ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 8 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely. Stir in the cherries, coconut and nuts; set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Using a cookie press fitted with a bar disk, press a 12-in.-long strip of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Spread fruit filling over dough. Press another strip over filling. Cut into 1-in. pieces (there is no need to separate the pieces). Repeat with remaining dough and filling., Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden. Recut into pieces if necessary. Remove to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 77 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 45mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.