Spritz Cookies (2024)

· Modified: by John Kanell

Festive and fun Spritz Cookies! This classic Christmas cookie uses a cookie press to create beautifully designed cookies with ease. You can make these cookies in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors and decorate them with festive sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gifting!

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Just like sugar cookies, these soft, buttery, and delicious Spritz Cookies are a must during the holidays and Christmas season! The cookie dough is super easy to whip up and there’s no chilling time required, it really is so simple. They’re flavored with vanilla and almond extract and have a buttery texture making them irresistibly delicious.

Create different colored dough then use a cookie press to create intricate and beautiful shapes such as wreaths, teddy bears, and Christmas trees for your cookie platter. The cookies keep their shape after baking so they look super impressive and can be decorated with any sprinkles you like. For another holiday cookie recipe, try my easy red velvet cookies!

What you’ll need to make this recipe

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Butter – use unsalted butter and make sure it’s at room temperature before starting this recipe.

Extract – classic Spritz cookies are made with vanilla extract and almond extract but you can experiment with any flavors you like such as lemon, orange, or peppermint.

Salt – I like to add a little salt to the batter to enhance the flavors but only add it if you are using unsalted butter or they will be too salty.

How to make Spritz Cookies

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1. Cream the butter, sugar, and salt together in a stand mixer.

2. Add the egg and extracts while beating.

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3. Add in food coloring if using.

4. Beat in the all purpose flour until combined.

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5. Fill a cookie press with the spritz cookie dough and press out the cookies onto a baking sheet.

6. Decorate with sprinkles then bake until just lightly golden.

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Pro tips to make this recipe

  • Sprinkles can bleed color and even melt in the oven. You can decorate the cookies after baking by brushing with corn syrup or icing then adding sprinkles, nonpareils, etc.
  • Do not use parchment paper. Use an unlined and ungreased cookie sheet/tray or the cookies won’t stick to the tray as you are pressing them out.
  • Add the food coloring a little at a time until you reach the desired color, you can’t take it away once it’s added.
  • I find that gel food coloring works best so you don’t change the consistency of the dough too much before pressing through the cookie press.
  • If you want to decorate these cookies with icing then follow my super easy sugar cookie icing recipe and mix it to a slightly thinner consistency.
  • If you decide to use icing make sure the cookies are cooled completely before decorating them and don’t add any sprinkles before baking.
  • This spritz cookies recipe bakes quickly so keep an eye on them, you don’t want them to brown they should just be starting to turn ever so slightly golden at the edges.
  • Allow the cookies to firm up for a few minutes after baking before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called Spritz Cookies?

Spritz cookies come from the German word Spritzen which means to squirt referring to the way these cookies are squirted or rather pushed through a cookie press to create beautiful shapes.

Can I make these without a cookie press?

A cookie press is relatively inexpensive and super easy to find online but if you don’t have one don’t worry you can still make spritz cookies! You can pipe these cookies using a piping bag and nozzles. To make the dough easier to pipe you might need to mix in a little milk.

Can I prepare these in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough then chill it in the fridge until you are ready to use it. Remember to let the cookie dough come to room temperature before pressing out your cookies.

What can I use to decorate them?

You can decorate these cookies with any color of food coloring you like, fun sprinkles, chocolate chips, candied fruit, nuts, and of course sugar cookie icing.

How long do they last?

Baked cookies will keep well in an airtight container or cookie tin for up to 1 week. You can even wrap them in bags or boxes with a pretty ribbon a gift them to friends and family during the holidays.

Can they be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze this spritz cookie recipe in suitable containers then thaw completely before serving.

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If you’ve tried these Spritz Cookies recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

Spritz Cookies (13)

5 from 465 votes

Spritz cookies

How to make beautiful Spritz Cookies from scratch! Don't forget to check out my step by step photos and tips above.

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 18 minutes minutes

Servings 80 cookies

Calories 41kcal

Author John Kanell

Video

Equipment

  • Cookies press

  • Mixer

  • Baking Sheets

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (226g)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour (293g)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.

  • Cream butter, salt, and sugar together in a stand mixer or with an electric whisk. Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla until combined then scrape down the bowl.

  • If tinting the dough you should mix the food coloring in now then add the flour and mix until combined.

  • Fill your cookie press and choose a pattern then press cookies onto an unlined and ungreased baking sheet.

  • You can decorate with sprinkles before or after baking see notes. Bake at 350F for about 8 minutes or until the bottoms are JUST starting to turn golden.

Notes

  • Sprinkles can bleed color and even melt in the oven. You can decorate the cookies after baking by brushing with corn syrup or icing then adding sprinkles, nonpareils, etc.
  • Use an unlined and ungreased cookie sheet/tray or the cookies won't stick to the tray as you are pressing them out.
  • Add the food coloring a little at a time until you reach the desired color, you can't take it away once it's added.
  • I find that gel food coloring works best so you don't change the consistency of the dough too much before pressing through the cookie press.
  • If you want to decorate these cookies with icing then follow my super easy sugar cookie icing recipe and mix it to a slightly thinner consistency.
  • If you decide to use icing make sure the cookies are cooled completely before decorating them and don't add any sprinkles before baking.
  • The cookies bake quickly so keep an eye on them, you don't want them to brown they should just be starting to turn ever so slightly golden at the edges.
  • Allow the cookies to firm up for a few minutes after baking before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

*Nutrition Disclaimer

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Spritz Cookies (2024)

FAQs

Spritz Cookies? ›

Spritz cookies come from the German word Spritzen which means to squirt referring to the way these cookies are squirted or rather pushed through a cookie press to create beautiful shapes.

Why are they called Spritz cookies? ›

Spritz cookies come from the German word Spritzen which means to squirt referring to the way these cookies are squirted or rather pushed through a cookie press to create beautiful shapes.

What's the difference between butter cookies and spritz cookies? ›

These cookies are nearly identical, except for one ingredient: egg.

Why won t my Spritz cookies come out of the press? ›

If the dough is sticking to the bottom of the press instead of adhering to the pan, it might be too soft. Place it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 minutes and try again. Butter is highly recommended when making Spritz cookie dough.

What can you use instead of a cookie press? ›

To Make Without a Cookie Press: Scoop dough by the teaspoon, roll into a ball and place onto rimmed baking sheet. Gently press your thumb into the center for thumbprints or with your palm or the bottom of a glass to flatten and bake as directed.

What is the number one selling cookie in America? ›

Oreo, the best-selling cookie brand in America, generates over $675 Million in annual revenue!

Should you use parchment paper when baking spritz cookies? ›

*Don't use non-stick cookie sheets as spritz cookies need to stick to the pan! *Also don't grease the sheets or use parchment paper. Spritz cookies release easily when made right!

Why do my spritz cookies taste like flour? ›

Generally that floury taste can be attributed to several things. Too much flour, bad recipe, improper mixing or underbaking, but the most common culprit is too much flour. Too much flour is most usually caused by scooping with the measuring cup and is probably the most common kitchen mistake made today.

What ethnicity are spritz cookies? ›

Spritzgebäck (German: [ˈʃpʁɪt͡sɡəˌbɛk]), also called a spritz cookie in the United States, is a type biscuit or cookie of German and Alsatian-Mosellan origin made of a rich shortcrust pastry. When made correctly, the cookies are crisp, fragile, somewhat dry, and buttery.

Why did my spritz cookies spread? ›

Temperature. Dough that is too warm or soft will spread more than dough that is cooler, so if you're working in a very warm kitchen, putting your dough in the fridge for 15 minutes or longer before using it will help prevent spread. Butter that is too warm or soft is also a major culprit.

Why did my spritz cookies go flat? ›

Mistake 1: The butter is too soft

If this happens, the butter will melt faster in the oven and your cookies will flatten before they can set.

Can I use premade cookie dough in a cookie press? ›

Loading the Cookie Press

To save time, buy premade cookie dough that comes in a log shape. Avoid using cookie dough that has big pieces like chocolate chips or nuts in it.

Is a cookie press worth it? ›

However, an electric cookie press gives you a consistent and continuous pressing, which is ideal especially when decorating with icing. It can also save you time over a manual model. Note that using an electric cookie press does not mean you can press heavier doughs and batters.

How do you get cookie press cookies to stick? ›

You must use cooled off cookie sheets so the cookies will stick to pan and come out of the press with no problem. Cookie sheets can not be warm. That is the answer. Place the cookie sheets in the fridge before using.

Why is a spritz called a spritz? ›

The world spritz is German for splash, and this name was given to the way Austrian soldiers prepared the Italian wine they were drinking. They found it too strong, and in order to make it easier to drink (more like the alcohol content of the beer they were accustomed to) they added a splash (a spritz) of still water.

Where did the word spritz originate? ›

The story goes that the spritz originated during the 1800s when Austrians visiting Italy would dilute Italian wines with a “spritz” (German for “splash”) of soda water to make them lighter and more to their taste.

What do Italians call their cookies? ›

Directly translated, Biscotti (or biscotto) simply means cookie in modern day Italian. However, the word originates from the Latin word biscoctus, meaning “twice-cooked,” referring to the method used to make traditional Biscotti.

Why are Toll House cookies called that? ›

In 1930, Ken and Ruth Wakefield opened a restaurant on the old toll road between Boston and New Bedford, Massachusetts. The 1709 building had been the old toll house, so they called their new establishment the Toll House Inn. Toll House cookies were born (so the story goes) when Mrs.

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