Preparing the Dough:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer or by hand.
2. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract (or ½ teaspoon of each).
4. Gradually add the flour, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough should be soft but hold its shape.

Forming and Baking:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350-375°F.
2. Do not chill the dough! It must be at room temperature to press properly.
3. Fill your cookie press with dough according to the manufacturer’s directions, and press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. The cookies should stick slightly to the pan to hold their shape.
4. If desired, decorate with colored sugar or candies before baking.
5. Bake for 9-12 minutes, until the edges are set and just barely beginning to turn golden; they should not brown.
6. Let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.​