Cookie Countdown - Spritz Cookies

Look at that - there's a picture of me (and my mother-in-law) in the photo album! I'm not sure what's in the pan, but the Snowball and Spritz cookies are cooling on the racks. Somewhere, somehow we received a cookie press, and once a year we get it out to make Christmas tree cookies. Here's the recipe we use:

Basic Spritz Cookies

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream butter and shortening together. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until light, about 5 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla (and food coloring if desired). Combine flour, baking powder and salt and add to other mixture in three batches. Dough will be stiff. Fill cookie press and form the cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees, being careful not to over bake. Makes about 4 dozen trees.