Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I love baking cookies. It's my hobby and I make more cookies than I could possibly eat. Making the simple spritz is something that I have never made before so I wanted to buy in inexpensive press to see if I would like it. I read the reviews prior to buying so I was leery and didn't know what to expect but I liked the price. I didn't use the recipe on the box because I have a cookie "bible" that I always get my recipes from. (please see end of review for recipe- it's a keeper, trust me!) In the end, everything about this press was easy and quick. For so many times of rolling and molding and dropping cookies to be able to simply place and squeeze was a welcome change. The tube was easy to fill, the trigger was accurate and the cookies were cute. I will note that in order for the trigger to work the plunger teeth *must* be facing the handle. Nowhere in the directions does it say this and I was confounded when it wasn't clicking at first. After fooling for a minute I figured out what I needed to do. The trigger was comfortable and easy to use. Even my 4 year old helped. Every cookie looked like a clone of the next. Taking note of the reviews of broken plastic pieces I was very aware of how tight I was tightening the threads as I believe that was the cause of the problem with many of these reviewers. The rings only need to be finger tightened. There is no need to give an extra twist to make it air tight. The press actually need a bit of air exchange in order to work properly so it is probably why reviewers were also having problems with dough leaking around the rings. I hope this helps some make a decision, I had no problems with my press and I believe it will be a good one to have for the yearly Christmas cookie bake marathon! Christmas Spritz 2 1/4 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1 cup butter, softened 1 egg 1 tsp almond extract 1 tsp vanilla extract food coloring, optional Preheat to 375. Mix butter and powered sugar in mixer bowl and beat until creamy. Beat in flavorings and egg. Gradually add flour and salt until well blended. Tint if desired. Bake for 10 minutes or until just set and not yet brown.