Question from baking novice!

[krcit]

I'm going to attempt to make spritz cookies this weekend. Do I use UNsalted butter? The recipe just says butter and I always use salted but I'm thinking for ckies I should go with unsalted? Anyone know? TIA

 

[Kimberle]

I always use unsalted butter. I'm not an "expert", but my cookies always come out pretty good.

 

[antmaril]

I, too, would use unsalted butter.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know. I always use salted however it has to be butter and not margarine.

My mom is the one who makes spritz all the time so I am not sure.

 

[DMickey28]

I am a great cook but a horrible baker unless it's from a box! Probably because I just use the butter I have on hand which is always salted. I usually omit the salt from the recipe though depending on how much they ask for.

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

As a general rule you are supposed to always use unsalted when baking, unless it is specifically stated to use salted.

I, sometimes, use salted butter when baking cookies.

 

[NYPDwife]

Look at the rest of the recipe ingredients. If it calls for salt in the recipe, use unsalted butter. I find Hotel Bar to be the best. I stock up on it and freeze it when it's on sale.

 

[Darsa]

The recipe I have at home (can't remember right now where I got it) states that I should use salted, because it brings out the "butter" flavor in butter cookies. So I guess it's "to taste".

 

[ChristmasElf]

I am a great cook but a horrible baker unless it's from a box! Probably because I just use the butter I have on hand which is always salted. I usually omit the salt from the recipe though depending on how much they ask for.

Don't omit the salt. Salt is used as a preservative as well for taste as it acts as a flavor enhancer by reducing bitterness and acidity.

 

[sbell111]

I always go with unsalted, unless the recipe tells me otherwise.

 

[mla1977]

I am a great cook but a horrible baker unless it's from a box! Probably because I just use the butter I have on hand which is always salted. I usually omit the salt from the recipe though depending on how much they ask for.

Don't omit the salt. Salt is used as a preservative as well for taste as it acts as a flavor enhancer by reducing bitterness and acidity.

I always go with unsalted, unless the recipe tells me otherwise.

Baking is a chemistry experiment. I always use unsalted butter unless otherwise specified.

I never omit salt because of the chemical reactions that need to go on between the salt and baking soda or baking powder. That chemical reaction gives baked items their lift when you are not making a yeast-based recipe.

 

[Darcy03231]

I make spritz cookies frequently and use the butter I have on hand, which is salted. Cookies always come out great!

 

[Belle2667]

I always used salted butter until Alton Brown told me not to. He said something about the salted butter making cookies stick to the pan.

I made 1 batch of chocolate chip cookies with the unsalted butter and my kids would not eat them because they tasted funny.

So...I'm back to salted butter and now I just use parchment paper.

For spritz cookies though, parchment paper doesn't work since you need the cookies to stick to the pan as you press them. Make sure your pan is cold, too! The cookies stick better.

 

[krcit]

I always used salted butter until Alton Brown told me not to. He said something about the salted butter making cookies stick to the pan.

I made 1 batch of chocolate chip cookies with the unsalted butter and my kids would not eat them because they tasted funny.

So...I'm back to salted butter and now I just use parchment paper.

For spritz cookies though, parchment paper doesn't work since you need the cookies to stick to the pan as you press them. Make sure your pan is cold, too! The cookies stick better.

Thanks for the tip about the cold pan. I am a baking dunce. lol. I'm still not sure about what butter to use-I bought both. It's C.Ann's recipe, maybe I should PM her?

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for the tip about the cold pan. I am a baking dunce. lol. I'm still not sure about what butter to use-I bought both. It's C.Ann's recipe, maybe I should PM her?

Thanks for all the responses!

Here I am!! LOL.. That recipe didn't list salt, did it? If not, then I have used "either/or".. Good luck!

 

[java]

I made some 2 days ago and it was a disaster. The dough was way too thick. I couldn't get it to spritz through the machine.

 

[DMRick]

I made some 2 days ago and it was a disaster. The dough was way too thick. I couldn't get it to spritz through the machine.

Did you use the recipe that comes with the spritz machine? They suggest that until you get the hang of the thickness. My recipe suggests adding a whipped egg or a little water if the batter is too thick. I also make sure the dough isn't cold, since the butter (unsalted, since that's what the food channel said to use LOL) thickens if it gets cold. I'm using an electric one this year. Much easier than my hand one, once I figured it out.

 

[minkydog]

I just want to wish you luck with your spritz cookies. I have NEVER been able to get them right. I finally through my spritz thingy out the back door, I was so mad! Stoopid stoopid spritz thingy.

 

[krcit]

I just want to wish you luck with your spritz cookies. I have NEVER been able to get them right. I finally through my spritz thingy out the back door, I was so mad! Stoopid stoopid spritz thingy.

uhoh, I have a feeling that this will be a disaster but the kids want to try s I'll give it a shot. Should be interesting since I am such a bad cook I have actually burned stuff in a crockpot

 

[C.Ann]

uhoh, I have a feeling that this will be a disaster but the kids want to try s I'll give it a shot. Should be interesting since I am such a bad cook I have actually burned stuff in a crockpot

Although I have been making these for a gazillion years, even I wouldn't attempt it without my electric shooter.. Just not enough strength in my hands anymore and most of the ones you have to "push" by hand don't hold up well at all..