Fruit-Filled Spritz Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling

Makes

about 7-1/2 dozen

Updated: Mar. 01, 2022
From the first time I baked these cookies, they've been a big success. Old-fashioned and attractive, they make a perfect holiday pastry. —Ingeborg Keith, Newark, Delaware
Fruit-Filled Spritz Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

1 cookie: 77 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 45mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.