Buttery Spritz Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until creamed.
3. Add vanilla extract, almond extract (if using) and salt and stir until well-combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl using a spatula to ensure ingredients are well-incorporated.
4. Add egg yolk and beat until combined
5. With mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add flour until completely combined (you will most likely need to scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl several times for this, as the mixture is fairly dry and crumbs tend to settle at the bottom of the bowl).
6. Break off about ½ cup of dough and use your hands to form it into a log.
7. Insert cookie dough log into the tube of your cookie press and fit with your preferred tip. Place cookie press directly on an ungreased cookie sheet and use press to squeeze out one cookie. Squeeze out cookies in rows, spacing at least 1" apart.
8. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired, and transfer to 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for 9-10 minutes.
9. Allow to cool for at least 5-10 minutes on baking sheet before using a spatula to gently remove from the cookie sheet and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Vanilla Glaze (optional)

1. Add (3 Tablespoons of) milk and vanilla extract to powdered sugar and whisk until combined. If mixture is too thick, add additional milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until you have a smooth glaze that ribbons off your whisk and holds its shape for several seconds before dissolving back into the bowl. (Note: if glaze is too thin, add additional powdered sugar until you have the proper thickness).
2. Drizzle or dip cookies in glaze. Top with colorful sprinkles, if desired.
3. Allow glaze to set before enjoying.