Grab your cookie press and bake a batch of festive Christmas spritz cookies. These shaped and decorated cookies are buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They present beautifully on a platter and are perfect for holiday cookie tins, parties, or cozy nights watching holiday movies.
Spritz cookies are a classic holiday treat made by pressing soft dough through a cookie press or piping it with a pastry bag. The dough bakes into delicate, crisp edges and a tender center. Dress them up with colored icing, sprinkles, or a dip of chocolate for a crowd-pleasing result every time.
These cookies are ideal for gifting, potlucks, or adding to your holiday dessert table. Serve them with a tall glass of milk, hot cocoa, or coffee. The recipe is simple and flexible, so you can customize shapes, colors, and flavors to match your celebration.
What Are Spritz Cookies?
Spritz cookies, sometimes called spritzer cookies, are buttery drop-style cookies formed using a cookie press or piping bag fitted with decorative disks or tips. The method creates intricate, festive shapes like stars, wreaths, or simple rosettes, making them especially popular at Christmas.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A classic cookie press recipe that yields beautiful, uniform shapes.
- Light, buttery, and tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Quick to prepare — most of the work is shaping and decorating.
- Highly customizable: color the dough, change disks, or add flavorings.
- Decorating options like icing, sprinkles, and chocolate make them festive.
- Great activity to do with kids; they’ll enjoy pressing shapes and adding sprinkles.
Ingredients Needed
Flour: Measure by scooping and leveling to avoid packing in too much flour, which can make cookies dry.
Salt: Enhances the butter and vanilla flavors; do not omit.
Butter: Use real, unsalted butter at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the dough and contributes to a tender crumb.
Egg: One egg binds the dough and adds moisture.
Extracts: A combination of vanilla and a touch of almond extract gives the cookies their classic, rich flavor.
Food Coloring: Optional, for colored dough or icing. Gel coloring works well.
Sprinkles and Frosting: Optional for decorating after baking or adding before baking for a festive look.
Recipe Variations
- Choose any cookie press disk to create different shapes and patterns.
- Add citrus zest (orange or lemon) for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for chocolate spritz cookies.
- Add pumpkin pie spice or a spice blend for warm, autumnal notes.
- Turn them into thumbprint cookies by adding a small dollop of jam or Nutella after pressing.
- Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate or drizzle chocolate over cooled cookies.
- Dust with powdered sugar instead of icing for a simple finish.
- Use sprinkles or edible glitter to add color and sparkle.
Tips for Success
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before mixing. This ensures even blending and creates a light, tender texture in the finished cookies.
Chill the Cookie Sheets
Chill baking sheets for 15–30 minutes before piping the shapes. A cold sheet helps the cookies hold their form while baking so details stay crisp.
Follow Your Cookie Press Instructions
Cookie presses vary by model. Read the manual so you understand how to load the dough, change disks, and press consistently for even shapes.
Cool Completely Before Decorating
Transfer baked cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before adding icing or delicate decorations to prevent melting or sliding.
Work Efficiently
Keep the dough cool while you press shapes. If the dough warms up, the cookies can lose definition or spread too much during baking.
Uniform Size and Bake Time
Try to press cookies of similar size on each sheet so they bake evenly. Smaller or thinner designs will bake faster than thicker ones.
Storage
Store spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you use a perishable icing like cream cheese frosting, refrigerate them. For longer storage, freeze cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 4–5 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my spritz cookies spread too much?
If the dough is too warm, the cookies can spread during baking. Chill the dough for 30–60 minutes and use chilled baking sheets to help maintain shape.
Why did my spritz cookies turn out dry and crumbly?
Overbaking dries out spritz cookies. Remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are set and lightly golden. They will firm up as they cool.
Can I freeze spritz cookie dough?
Yes. Wrap the raw dough tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container for 2–3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then refill the cookie press or bag and press shapes as usual.
Recipe: Christmas Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Food coloring and sprinkles, optional
- Icing, optional (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- If coloring dough, divide evenly into small bowls and stir in gel food coloring until uniform.
- Fill the cookie press with dough, attach the desired disk, and hold the press perpendicular to an unlined or lightly chilled baking sheet. Press shapes onto the sheet, leaving about 1 inch between cookies. Add sprinkles if desired before baking.
- Bake for 7–9 minutes, or until edges are just set and very lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
- When cookies are completely cool, decorate with icing and additional sprinkles if desired.
Enjoy baking these classic Christmas spritz cookies. They’re easy to adapt for different occasions and make a festive addition to any holiday spread.