Do you ever have a back ache the next day after pressing your springerle cookies? Pressing the cookies can really strain your lower back and you’ll know that making the cookies is truely a labor of love. This is THE most appreciated tip I ever give - roll out your dough and press the cookies on a table, NOT your kitchen counter. By doing this you are able to press DOWN, rather than out and down. Get your shoulders right over the rolled dough and use your body weight to press. Thus, you are able to avoid holding your arms out and pressing using only arm action, which stresses your lower back. Your cookies won’t taste any better, but you will be able to make more cookies , more quickly and further, you will be williing to make them more often. Your Springerle fans will be delighted!
Yours in happier baking! Connie
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I use a marble rolling pin. The extra weight seems to make pressing a little easier.
I have a chronic back problem, so making Springerle is truly a work of love for my family. I have also found that using a table as Connie mentions really works. Also I’ve found that chilling the dough helps and saves my back.
I use a wooden wine crate as a one-foot step stool. This enables me to roll out the dough on my counter which keeps me close to all of my supplies.
Great idea Patrice! I think this will really help a lot of people, especially those who are vertically challenged! Connie
Since I enjoy woodworking, I’ve always been keenly aware of safety around tools, so I vary the working surface (bench, sawhorses, or even the floor) as needed. As for pressing springerle, my choice has always been our butcher block kitchen table. The surface is steady enough to take the pressure, and large enough for placement of the pressed designs well out of the way. No back pains. The table is off limits for a day, though.
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