Those of us of a certain age and upbringing spent many a December cranking out cookies through a cookie press, creating pile after pile of somewhat misshapen pine trees, snowflakes, and snowmen.

Even after the charm of making cookies each Christmas fell away from my family, every time I bit into a butter spritz cookie at a friend’s house, I was flooded with the memory, however faint, of happy decorating cookies with my mother.

It had been a long time since I’ve made spritz cookies. Every year I’d see the set in the store, pick it up, and remember. Then I’d put it down and move on, somehow not allowing myself to hold on to those memories. To convince myself I had to let go.

I was telling a friend the other day that after my parents moved away from my childhood home, I wasn’t left with many mementos of growing up. Given my decluttering habit, I declared this a good thing, but then I realized why I had been wrong about putting back the cookie press.

For the most part, all I have of my childhood is memories, and I should be cultivating them, tending to them like a wild garden.

It might just be cookies to some people, but for those of us with loss, no matter the level, we need to hold on to what we can.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and OXO is hosting their annual program to benefit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a nonprofit that was founded by two OXO employees after their son was diagnosed with pediatric cancer.  For every OXO item with the green “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” sticker sold in September, OXO will donate 25 cents in support of pediatric cancer research as part of its $100,000* pledge to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

I was thrilled to participate in the campaign this year, and it was great to get back to making cookies with a press. I’ve loved seeing what my fellow bloggers have come up with for their cookies. Visit the #OXOGoodCookies Pinterest board for cookie inspiration.

Now — these cookies are reminiscent of my childhood spritz cookies, but I pumped them full of chai spices to bring them into fall, creating a bite that is perfect alongside afternoon tea. You can lessen the spice if you want, but because spritz cookies are so rich, it’s easy for the spice to get overwhelmed.

I played with adding an orange glaze to these, but really, they are perfect as is and don’t need the extra sugar. Plus, the bonus with spritz cookies is that it makes a lot, so you’ll have plenty on hand to nibble.

Chai Spritz Cookies

Yield: 3 dozen

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

These buttery, fragrant cookies are excellent for sharing!

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Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white whole-wheat flour

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare cookie press by making sure it is clean, loading the selected disc, and removing the top.
2. Mix together butter, sugar, salt, and spices until fluffy.
3. Stir in egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in flours until incorporated and dough comes together. It should resemble play-doh, a bit.
5. Fill cookie press, replace lid, and press cookies onto baking sheet by holding press directly on the sheet and pressing the lever. Repeat until press is empty, then refill and repeat.
6. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just browned. Let cool slightly before removing to a rack.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  OXO Good Grips Cookie Press with Stainless Steel Disks and Storage Case
• 
  Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Baking Sheet, 2-Piece Set
• 
  OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 36
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 71Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 47mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

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* In 2014, OXO will donate up to $100,000 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer through specially marked baking tools, bake sale matches and other fundraising efforts. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a recognized 501c(3) public charity duly incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey. Your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. 100% of proceeds raised by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer fund pediatric cancer research.

Disclaimer: I was provided with the tools to create these cookies by OXO, but I was not otherwise compensated for this post. OXO is donating $100 to Cookies for Kid’s Cancer for each blog post dedicated to this campaign in September.