Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
<grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
welcome.

Thanks

Merlin

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 08:28:55 +0100, Merlin
> wrote:

>Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
>cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
>have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
><grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
>like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
>tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
>welcome.
>
>Thanks
>
>Merlin

I've had one for going on thirty years. Getting it to do what you want
is more a matter of "feel" than of instructions.

Recipes suitable for cookie guns are called "spritz" cookies. If you
don't have one you like already, make up a batch of your best
refrigerator cookie dough, and go to town experimenting. You can
always scrape up and re-use the mistakes.

The dough works best if it's slightly chilled and not too stiff. Too
cold and stiff, and it won't come off the gun; too warm and loose, and
it will get sloppy.

Hold the gun just over a cookie sheet that isn't overly greased, so
that as the dough is expressed it sticks to the sheet. When you have
the technique down, you will be able to lift the gun, with the cookie
staying behind.

If you start with fatter shapes, like ribbons and Christmas trees, you
will get less frustrated while you get a feel for your new toy. Once
you have it down, you can go for more delicate shapes, like snowflakes
and butterflies.

--
Chris Green

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 08:28:55 +0100, Merlin
> wrote:

>Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
>cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
>have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
><grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
>like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
>tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
>welcome.
>
>Thanks
>
>Merlin

I've had one for going on thirty years. Getting it to do what you want
is more a matter of "feel" than of instructions.

Recipes suitable for cookie guns are called "spritz" cookies. If you
don't have one you like already, make up a batch of your best
refrigerator cookie dough, and go to town experimenting. You can
always scrape up and re-use the mistakes.

The dough works best if it's slightly chilled and not too stiff. Too
cold and stiff, and it won't come off the gun; too warm and loose, and
it will get sloppy.

Hold the gun just over a cookie sheet that isn't overly greased, so
that as the dough is expressed it sticks to the sheet. When you have
the technique down, you will be able to lift the gun, with the cookie
staying behind.

If you start with fatter shapes, like ribbons and Christmas trees, you
will get less frustrated while you get a feel for your new toy. Once
you have it down, you can go for more delicate shapes, like snowflakes
and butterflies.

--
Chris Green

I just posted a recipe for spritz cookies.

"Merlin" > wrote in message
. com...
> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Merlin

Merlin > wrote in message .com>...
> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Merlin

The consistency of the batter for cookie presses (that's what you
have), or "Spritz Cookies," are kinda special to be forced through the
nozzles and keep their shape.

Try here for recipes (one site of thousands):

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-..._press,FF.html

N.

Merlin > wrote in message .com>...
> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Merlin

The consistency of the batter for cookie presses (that's what you
have), or "Spritz Cookies," are kinda special to be forced through the
nozzles and keep their shape.

Try here for recipes (one site of thousands):

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-..._press,FF.html

N.

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 08:28:55 +0100, Merlin
> wrote:

>Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
>cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
>have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
><grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
>like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
>tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
>welcome.
>
>Thanks
>
>Merlin

I'be heard of these.....

Merlin wrote:

> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Merlin


I've got one. If you have trouble with it, try a different die/nozzle.
The gadget should have come with a booklet with a recipe or two for
"spitz" or "spritz" cookies.

Bob

Merlin wrote:

> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Merlin


I've got one. If you have trouble with it, try a different die/nozzle.
The gadget should have come with a booklet with a recipe or two for
"spitz" or "spritz" cookies.

Bob

Merlin wrote:

> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Merlin


I've got one. If you have trouble with it, try a different die/nozzle.
The gadget should have come with a booklet with a recipe or two for
"spitz" or "spritz" cookies.

Bob

Success!! Thank you Sandy and other posters!

It didn't take much experimenting once I found I should press the
cookie press onto the baking sheet when shooting <grin>, I told you I
knew nothing about it!

Merlin


In article >, sandy
> wrote:

> I just posted a recipe for spritz cookies.
>
> "Merlin" > wrote in message
> . com...
> > Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> > cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> > have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> > <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> > like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> > tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> > welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Merlin
>
>

Success!! Thank you Sandy and other posters!

It didn't take much experimenting once I found I should press the
cookie press onto the baking sheet when shooting <grin>, I told you I
knew nothing about it!

Merlin


In article >, sandy
> wrote:

> I just posted a recipe for spritz cookies.
>
> "Merlin" > wrote in message
> . com...
> > Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> > cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> > have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> > <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> > like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> > tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> > welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Merlin
>
>

Success!! Thank you Sandy and other posters!

It didn't take much experimenting once I found I should press the
cookie press onto the baking sheet when shooting <grin>, I told you I
knew nothing about it!

Merlin


In article >, sandy
> wrote:

> I just posted a recipe for spritz cookies.
>
> "Merlin" > wrote in message
> . com...
> > Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> > cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes? I
> > have just bought one (I'm a sucker for special offers and reductions
> > <grin>) but there were no instructions or guidelines with it. I would
> > like help, please, to get my first batch of dough ready. Hints and
> > tips on ingredients, working temperature, and consistency will be very
> > welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Merlin
>
>

In article > ,
wrote:

> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes?
> Thanks
> Merlin

I've given up on my cookie press. For years I've used a heavy duty
pastry bag and pastry tips. My Spritz aren't in the shape of trees,
but I can do nice wreaths or groovy blobs and s-curves (the Schaller S,
doncha know) ready for colored sprinkles or whatever. The trickiest
part is having the dough the right consistency. The littlest bit too
stiff and it can be a real pain to squeeze the bag.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 10-22-04; Popovers!.
"Peace will come when the power of love overcomes the love of power."
-Jimi Hendrix, and Lt. Joe Corcoran, Retired; St. Paul PD, Homicide Divn.

In article > ,
wrote:

> Does anyone have experience with a cookie pistol, a gadget which forces
> cookie dough through a nozzle to make cookies with different shapes?
> Thanks
> Merlin

I've given up on my cookie press. For years I've used a heavy duty
pastry bag and pastry tips. My Spritz aren't in the shape of trees,
but I can do nice wreaths or groovy blobs and s-curves (the Schaller S,
doncha know) ready for colored sprinkles or whatever. The trickiest
part is having the dough the right consistency. The littlest bit too
stiff and it can be a real pain to squeeze the bag.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 10-22-04; Popovers!.
"Peace will come when the power of love overcomes the love of power."
-Jimi Hendrix, and Lt. Joe Corcoran, Retired; St. Paul PD, Homicide Divn.

I have a fair bit of experience with several different types of cookie
presses- from the automatic guns (my least favorite) to the old fashioned twist
barrel (tried and true)- what's your problem? Maybe I can help?

*smiles brightly*

The most important thing (besides using the proper dough and quality baking
sheets) is to use _cool_ ungreased cookie sheets or the dough won't stick for
beans. The sheets don't have to be chilled, but they must be at least room
temp. You can use one of those silicone baking pad-things to spitz on as well
as long as the pan beneath it is cool but you may have to hold it down until
you get enough dough on it to weight it so it doesn't lift up with your press
as you pull away.

The dough should also be room tempish --not too cold or it won't stick right.
Knowing how much dough to press out just takes practice and can vary from
template to template and dough to dough. I'd do practice sheet with your dough
to get a feel for it.

I definitely recommend quality professional baking sheets otherwise you will
get hot spots during baking. Spritz cookies really need even heat and
shouldn't be brown on the bottom (or top) at all just barely light golden at
the very most.

I make a wide variety of spritz cookies every year for the holidays- if you'd
like some recipes, let me know!



Barb

I have a fair bit of experience with several different types of cookie
presses- from the automatic guns (my least favorite) to the old fashioned twist
barrel (tried and true)- what's your problem? Maybe I can help?

*smiles brightly*

The most important thing (besides using the proper dough and quality baking
sheets) is to use _cool_ ungreased cookie sheets or the dough won't stick for
beans. The sheets don't have to be chilled, but they must be at least room
temp. You can use one of those silicone baking pad-things to spitz on as well
as long as the pan beneath it is cool but you may have to hold it down until
you get enough dough on it to weight it so it doesn't lift up with your press
as you pull away.

The dough should also be room tempish --not too cold or it won't stick right.
Knowing how much dough to press out just takes practice and can vary from
template to template and dough to dough. I'd do practice sheet with your dough
to get a feel for it.

I definitely recommend quality professional baking sheets otherwise you will
get hot spots during baking. Spritz cookies really need even heat and
shouldn't be brown on the bottom (or top) at all just barely light golden at
the very most.

I make a wide variety of spritz cookies every year for the holidays- if you'd
like some recipes, let me know!



Barb

I have a fair bit of experience with several different types of cookie
presses- from the automatic guns (my least favorite) to the old fashioned twist
barrel (tried and true)- what's your problem? Maybe I can help?

*smiles brightly*

The most important thing (besides using the proper dough and quality baking
sheets) is to use _cool_ ungreased cookie sheets or the dough won't stick for
beans. The sheets don't have to be chilled, but they must be at least room
temp. You can use one of those silicone baking pad-things to spitz on as well
as long as the pan beneath it is cool but you may have to hold it down until
you get enough dough on it to weight it so it doesn't lift up with your press
as you pull away.

The dough should also be room tempish --not too cold or it won't stick right.
Knowing how much dough to press out just takes practice and can vary from
template to template and dough to dough. I'd do practice sheet with your dough
to get a feel for it.

I definitely recommend quality professional baking sheets otherwise you will
get hot spots during baking. Spritz cookies really need even heat and
shouldn't be brown on the bottom (or top) at all just barely light golden at
the very most.

I make a wide variety of spritz cookies every year for the holidays- if you'd
like some recipes, let me know!



Barb