Cookie Press Success

posted December 8, 2008
  by Christine Gable, Kiddie Chow

Do you love homemade shortbread cookies but don’t love to bake ‘em? And by chance do you have one or even two kids who tend to like interesting gadgets? If so, you may have the makings of cookie press success. No press in sight? Maybe a cookie press would fit the bill as a good gift for someone in your house this year. Or perhaps do as I did: Buy one for yourself and surprise the kids when you pull it out (from its long-forgotten storage spot) once or twice a year.

It never fails that I have a willing helper—sometimes more—at my elbow when I enact this plan. In fact, I have never had to actually make the cookie press cookies myself (a tad disappointingly, I might add). No, all I usually end up doing is mixing the batter and standing back. There’s something about pulling out that box with its selection of disks. After the shape and pattern choices are made, the batter is almost-magically turned into creatively shaped cookies in no time at all. And it only takes a couple seconds to sprinkle on some colored sugar or jimmies to add extra pizazz. Then bake and eat.

Our press happens to be one that I ordered from my sister-in-law when she was selling Pampered Chef kitchenware. And it came with a recipe for a buttery spritz shortbread that is just divine. It cautions to use real butter versus margarine—I don’t know what would happen if substitutions were made … haven’t gone there (in the case of ease and efficiency). And that may be because I’ve had past experiences of frosting bags bursting open, automatic icing pumps breaking and other various kitchen calamities that I have no interest in repeating in the shortbread cookie press realm.

Besides, the shortbread cookie lovers in our house just love butter. The delicate crumb, the melt-in-your-mouth texture pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or milk. And best of all, one or two satisfy. And that’s especially good when you don’t need all that butter settling in the nether regions, just calling out for extra trips to the gym.

Yes, if I’m going to bake cookies, I want a cookie that not only tastes good but also satisfies. And no matter how many store-bought cookies I’ve eaten, they just don’t offer even a portion of the same level of home-baked satisfaction. Call it what you may—and I have no idea if it’s the ingredients, the oven or just the hand-lovin’ freshness and handling—but a home-baked cookie hits the spot like no other. And if I’m going to eat 2 cookies and 120 calories, I definitely need satisfaction.

Now, don’t get me wrong: Oreos are good. Grasshoppers are good. Archway fruit-filled cookies are good. But I can’t say that I’ve ever been able to stop at two—and those calories have an evil way of adding up quicker than a blink of the eye (And no, I’m not a calorie counter either—in fact, I really abhor the whole concept). But suffice it to say that, just like fast food, store-bought cookies sing that siren song: “just one more, just one more …” And they don’t ever quite seem to fill the need that needs filling.

So could it be the baking together that helps fulfill that magic? Well, no matter what type of cookies your family likes best, I encourage you to step back from your busy life and find some time to bake together. Not only will you have the ultimate satisfaction of enjoying a warm-from-the-oven cookie with milk, you’ll build memories with your kids that will mean so much more than opening a package of Chips Ahoy.

And if you happen to have a cookie press in your kitchen this holiday season, there’s an even better side benefit: Your kids might end up baking those cookies for you!

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