My Perfect Spritz Cookies recipe make the most buttery, festive cookies that are classic and nostalgic! I have an easy and foolproof recipe to share with you!
Table of Contents
- Spritz Cookies are a Holiday Classic Cookie Recipe!
- What IS a Spritz Cookie?
- Ingredients:
- Tools: What Do You Need To Make Spritz Cookies?
- How To Make Spritz Cookies:
- How Do I Get My Spritz Cookie Dough Not To Stick To the Cookie Press?
- Can You Use Food Coloring In Spritz Cookies?
- More Variations:
- Can You Freeze Spritz Cookies?
- More Christmas Cookie Ideas:
- Get the Recipe
I will admit, Spritz Cookies have never been a first choice cookie for me. No oozy caramel, no chocolate chips, no frosting… but isn’t there just something cozy and special about the classic Spritz? So, I knew I had to include an easy Spritz cookie recipe in my 12 Day of Christmas Cookies. If you’ve missed the first few days of cookies, scroll to the bottom of the post for a recap, as this is #4 of the week! It’s been great fun so far and I love seeing so many of you baking along!
You might even ask what IS a spritz cookie? Well apparently the word “spritz” comes from the German word “spritzen”, meaning “to squirt” because the soft dough is squirted or pushed through a cookie press to make fancy designs. Long story short, it’s basically a pressed sugar cookie, a lot like shortbread cookies.
Ingredients:
- Room temperature butter. I use salted, but this is a personal preference
- Powdered sugar
- Large egg
- Almond extract (or vanilla extract if you prefer)
- Kosher salt
- All purpose flour
- Milk. I use a little milk in the glaze to get that perfect consistency.
- Sprinkles to decorate if you want!
- Cookie Press. All cookie presses are not created equal. After testing many brands, this OXO press has been my tried and true since I found it in 2017. It is fairly inexpensive, very easy to use, comes with a disk for making any design you would like: wreaths, swirls, trees, flowers etc. Plus it comes with a container to keep them in. It’s sturdy and comfortable in your hand!
- Parchment paper. I really like to use parchment with the majority of my cookie baking, and this spritz recipe is no different.
- A high quality baking sheet is nice to own in general, but I have this THIS COOKIE SHEET is really nice for these cookies that you don’t want to brown too fast.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and powdered sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until combined.
- Add in the egg, almond extract, and salt and mix for an additional minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just incorporated.
- Place about 1 cup of dough (depending on the size of your press) into the cookie press. Press cookies onto the baking sheet using the press. Arrange the cookies about 1 inch apart and bake for 6-7 minutes or until lightly golden at the edges.
- Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool.
- For the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the tops of each cookie into the glaze. Sprinkle if desired. Allow the cookies to set completely before storing.
- This is the most asked question I get, about making spritz cookies! Let me give you the honest answer…
- I kind of don’t. I mean, my spritz recipe is fantastic…it isn’t sticky, and comes out in beautiful shapes, but it doesn’t come off of the press every time. I have made peace with this… because as I have tweaked the dough recipe, I have found that the drier you make the dough, the more crumbly the cookie. And with a crumbly cookie, you don’t always get a perfectly shaped cookie. It’s a fine line folks!
- You press the cookie onto the baking sheet, as shown, to get the perfect shape. When you lift your press, your cookie might have stuck to the press. This is 100% ok. Just gently remove it from the press and place it on the baking sheet.
- The cookies don’t really spread, so you can bake a lot of cookies at once, which is awesome!
You can absolutely color the dough to make pretty cookies. Make sure you’re not using too much dye, because that can also lead to sticky dough. I prefer to use gel food coloring, as you don’t need as much.
When they’re baked you can dip them in a sugar glaze icing…and then add sprinkles!
More Variations:
- Add spices. Try adding a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice to your dough to make these unique!
- Different Extracts: I add almond extract, but like I said you can add vanilla, or how about coconut extract, rum extract, or even lemon extract or add flavor to the cookie or the icing.
- Try melted chocolate or white chocolate and dip the bottoms or sides of the cookies. You could even drizzle the chocolate on top for a pretty presentation.
My Perfect Spritz Cookies deserve a spot on your holiday cookie tray! They freeze fantastically and are sturdy enough to ship with no breaking! I truly feel like my recipe is the best spritz cookie recipe out there. It’s completely foolproof and so much fun to make! Simply bake them and freeze in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 30 days for best freshness. This makes them the perfect cookie to bake in advance!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 72 cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
Perfect Spritz Cookies are easy, buttery cookies, perfect for a cookie press!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla if you prefer)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract, if desired
- sprinkles to decorate
Instructions
- Cookies: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and powdered sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until combined.
- Add in the egg, almond extract, and salt and mix for an additional minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just incorporated.
- Place about 1 cup of dough (depending on the size of your press) into the cookie press. Press cookies onto the baking sheet using the press. Arrange the cookies about 1 inch apart and bake for 6-7 minutes or until lightly golden at the edges.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
- Icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the tops of each cookie into the glaze. Sprinkle if desired. Allow the cookies to set completely before storing.
Notes
- Store airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days for best freshness.
- You can freeze these cookies in a large, zip-top bag for up to a month. I don’t recommend freezing them if you have used glaze, as they become sticky as the glaze thaws. Glaze them when they’re at room temperature and allow to set.
- I like to use 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. The combination is subtle and my personal favorite!
Keywords: cookies and cups, cookie recipe, spritz cookies, christmas cookies
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These are the best spritz I have ever made. I did use the glaze as well. The dough came out easily without having to chill it. I also used Silpat this year on my baking sheets and it was a game changer. Much better than parchment. Yummy! Thanks!
★★★★★
I couldn’t get it to work using the powder, even after chilling it. It just won’t release from the cookie cutter. Guess I’ll stick to the traditional sugar, it works.
Do you bring these ingredients to room temp before mixing? I, trying out this recipe tomorrow. Of it doesn’t work out I’ll repurpose the dough,
★★★★
You can absolutely. I have tried it both ways and I find it doesn’t make too much difference!
I found to get cookie off the press is to 1/4 turn the press back then lift off. You may have to adjust the turn
★★★★
This is by far the best spritz cookie recipe! Thanks!
★★★★★
I just got a cookie press and was looking at the bloggers I follow. I found 2 and have tried them both. These were delicious and easy! Mine did not stick to the press, and my dad asked for more almond! They didn’t make it to the glaze stage because my dad and son enjoyed them without it and they were gone! Now they will be making an appearance on my holiday cookie trays.
★★★★★
I doubled the recipe and my dough won’t stick together. It is crumbling. What did I do wrong?
If for some reason your dough is crumbling, don’t worry you can add a teaspoon of milk at a time until it holds together!
Do you have suggestions for high altitude?
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
I use salted, but you can use either!
Do I sift Powdered Sugar and Flour before?
You can but you don’t have to