Christmas spritz cookies

½ pound butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar on medium speed until mixture is fluffy and pale. Add egg yolks and vanilla and combine well. Add about 2/3 of the flour and beat until blended. Transfer dough to a clean work surface and knead in the remaining flour. Place in a clean bowl and chill, covered, for 30-40 minutes. Following the manufacturers’ directions for your cookie press, press cookies onto Silpat-lined baking sheets. Decorate with coloured sugars, chopped maraschino cherries and other holiday cookie decorations. Bake at 350F for 9 minutes, until cookies are barely beginning to turn golden around the edges (it should be almost imperceptible). Let set a few minutes, then transfer to cooking racks to cool completely.