Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies: Your Essential Holiday Baking Tradition

There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home, especially during the festive holiday season. Among the myriad of beloved Christmas treats, classic soft and buttery spritz cookies hold a special place. Simple yet utterly irresistible, these delicate cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a timeless tradition, a symbol of warmth, and a gateway to cherished memories. If spritz cookies aren’t already a staple in your holiday baking repertoire, prepare to make them one!

My fondest childhood holiday memories are steeped in the joy of baking. Alongside my mom and siblings, our kitchen would transform into a bustling cookie factory, producing delightful batches to share with friends, neighbors, and, of course, ourselves! Our baking marathon always included perennial favorites like rich mint fudge, delicate snowball cookies, spicy gingersnaps, beautifully decorated sugar cookies, and these exquisitely buttery classic spritz cookies. Each bite was, and still is, a taste of pure holiday nostalgia.

Spritz cookies remain one of my absolute favorite holiday cookies, and for good reason! They are wonderfully soft and rich with butter, boasting an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture that delicately gives way to subtle notes of vanilla and almond extract. What truly sets them apart is their charming appearance. Using a simple cookie press, you can effortlessly create a variety of festive shapes—think tiny Christmas trees, delicate wreaths, glistening snowflakes, or even adorable teddy bears. Decorate them with colorful sprinkles, sanding sugar, or a simple glaze to add an extra touch of holiday magic. These cookies aren’t just delicious; they’re edible art, perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa by the fire.

Table of Contents

• What are Spritz Cookies? The German Delicacy Explored
• Mastering the Ingredients: The Key to Perfect Spritz Cookies
• The Essential Tool: Do You Need a Cookie Press?
• Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Irresistible Butter Spritz Cookies
• Expert Tips for Spritz Cookie Success
• Explore More Holiday Cookie Delights
• Get the Full Spritz Cookie Recipe

Mastering the Ingredients: The Key to Perfect Spritz Cookies

Creating these classic spritz cookies requires only a handful of common pantry staples, making this recipe incredibly accessible. The beauty lies in the simplicity of the ingredients, which means the quality of each component truly shines through. You likely have most, if not all, of these on hand, ready to transform into a batch of holiday magic. For the precise measurements and detailed instructions, refer to the full recipe at the bottom of this article.

Here’s a closer look at the key players and why they’re essential:

• Unsalted Butter: This is the heart of any good spritz cookie. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of your cookies. It provides that signature rich, creamy flavor and contributes to the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Ensure it’s at proper room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Granulated Sugar: Beyond sweetness, sugar plays a crucial role in the texture of spritz cookies. When creamed with butter, it creates air pockets that lead to a lighter cookie.
• Large Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the dough together and providing structure. They also add moisture, richness, and contribute to the cookies’ golden hue.
• Vanilla Extract: A staple in most cookie recipes, vanilla extract provides a warm, comforting base flavor that complements the butter beautifully. Use pure vanilla for the best results.
• Almond Extract: This is the secret ingredient that gives spritz cookies their distinctive, slightly nutty, and aromatic quality. It adds a depth of flavor that is truly irresistible and traditional for this type of cookie.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough. Flour provides the necessary structure. Measured correctly, it ensures the dough has the right consistency to be pressed easily and hold its shape.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the buttery notes more pronounced.
• Sprinkles or Sanding Sugar (Optional): These are your festive adornments! They add color, texture, and holiday cheer, turning simple cookies into dazzling delights.

The Essential Tool: Do You Need a Cookie Press?

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Irresistible Butter Spritz Cookies

With your ingredients gathered and your chosen tools at the ready, it’s time to embark on the delightful journey of baking these wonderful cookies! This recipe is straightforward and designed to be a fun, engaging activity for the whole family to enjoy during the bustling holiday season.

1. Prepare Cookie Dough: Begin by creaming together your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and noticeably pale. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ delicate texture. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps create a smooth emulsion. Finally, stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, infusing the dough with their signature aromatic flavors. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed only until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.



2. Decide on Cookie Shapes and Decorations: This is where the fun truly begins! Choose your favorite discs for your cookie press – I often opt for classic Christmas trees, elegant wreaths, sparkling snowflakes, or even whimsical teddy bear shapes. Have your festive sprinkles, colorful sanding sugars, or any other edible decorations ready and within reach. Planning your decorations beforehand ensures a smooth and enjoyable decorating process.
3. Load Cookie Press: Carefully load your prepared cookie dough into the barrel of your cookie press. It’s important to follow your manufacturer’s instructions for the best results, as presses can vary slightly in design. Make sure the dough is packed snugly to ensure even pressure and consistent shapes.



4. Stamp Cookies onto Baking Sheet Pan: Hold the cookie press flat against an ungreased baking sheet. Press the lever or trigger, firmly stamping the dough onto the pan. You’ll quickly get the hang of the right pressure and motion! Don’t be discouraged if the first few cookies don’t come out perfectly; it’s common to have a few “wonky” shapes at the start. Simply scrape any misshapen cookies off the pan and add them back to the press for another attempt. Arrange the cookies about an inch apart on the baking sheet. If desired, add your sprinkles or sanding sugar to the dough shapes before baking for a festive finish.
5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the pressed cookies for approximately 7-10 minutes, or until the dough is set, appears dry, and the edges are just barely kissed with a very light golden hue. Avoid overbaking, as spritz cookies are meant to be delicate and tender, not overly crisp.



6. Add Decorations and Cool: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, while they are still warm, add any additional sprinkles or sanding sugar you desire. The warmth of the cookie helps the decorations adhere beautifully. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up before carefully transferring them to a wire rack using a thin spatula to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and ensures they hold their delicate shapes.

Expert Tips for Spritz Cookie Success

Achieving perfect spritz cookies is a rewarding endeavor, and a few key tips can make all the difference. Follow these expert recommendations to ensure your batch is consistently delicious and beautifully presented:

• Mind the Butter Temperature: This is paramount! Your unsalted butter must be at true room temperature – soft enough to yield to a gentle finger press, but not at all melty, greasy, or shiny. Butter that is too warm will cause your cookie dough to spread excessively in the oven, resulting in blurred shapes and a less delicate texture. Proper room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air for that desired light and tender crumb.
• Always Use an Ungreased Baking Sheet and Skip Parchment Paper: This tip is non-negotiable for spritz cookies! The dough needs a slightly abrasive surface to properly adhere to the pan as it’s pressed out of the cookie press. Parchment paper or silicone baking mats are too slick, preventing the dough from sticking and causing the shapes to pull back into the press. Don’t worry, these buttery cookies will release easily from the ungreased pan after baking and cooling slightly.
• Sprinkles Are Versatile: You can add sprinkles or sanding sugar both before and immediately after baking, or even both! Adding them before baking ensures they fuse slightly into the dough, creating a more embedded look. Adding them after baking, while the cookies are still warm, ensures a vibrant, fresh appearance as they stick to the softened surface.
• Do Not Overbake: Spritz cookies are small and bake very quickly. It’s crucial to keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary. Cookies are done when they appear completely set and dry, and the very edges might show the faintest hint of golden, but they should generally remain pale. Cookies that have browned significantly on the edges will be crispier rather than soft and tender. I highly recommend baking a small test batch (2-3 cookies) first to fine-tune your oven’s timing.
• Get Creative with Additional Decorations: Beyond sprinkles, there are many ways to adorn your spritz cookies!
  • Color the Dough: Add a few drops of gel food coloring to your dough when you mix in the eggs for vibrant, colored cookies.
  • Drizzle with Chocolate: Once cooled, drizzle your cookies with melted milk, dark, or white chocolate for an elegant touch.
  • Simple Icing Glaze: A quick glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and a hint of vanilla or almond extract can add sweetness and a lovely finish.
• Troubleshooting Sticky Sprinkles: If you find that your sprinkles aren’t sticking well to cooled cookies, don’t despair! Lightly brush the cooled cookies with a thin layer of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved and cooled) before adding your sprinkles. This creates a slightly tacky surface for them to adhere to.
• Excellent for Storage: Spritz cookies are fantastic make-ahead treats! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (they’ll remain delicious!). For longer storage, flash freeze them on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. They can be frozen for a month or even longer, ready to be thawed and enjoyed whenever a cookie craving strikes.

Explore More Holiday Cookie Delights

If you love baking for the holidays, here are a few more irresistible cookie recipes to add to your repertoire:

• Frosted Sugar Cookie Cut Outs
• Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 4-in-1 Shortbread Cookies
• Chewy Gingersnaps

Get the Full Spritz Cookie Recipe

5 from 3 reviews

Spritz Cookies

Servings:
48 cookies

Prep Time:
15 mins

Cook Time:
8 mins

Total Time:
23 mins

Classic soft and buttery spritz cookies all dressed up for holidays!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup (236 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ⅔ cup (132 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 ¼ cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Sprinkles or sanding sugar, optional

Equipment

Cookie press

Baking sheet pan

Electric mixer

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on high speed until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract until fully combined.
4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Load the cookie dough into your spritz cookie press. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, press the dough out onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
6. Alternatively, if using a piping bag, load the dough (adjusted with a bit of milk if needed) into a large piping bag fitted with a medium star tip. Pipe small 1-inch shapes onto the ungreased cookie sheets, also about 1 inch apart.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is set and the bottoms of the cookies just begin to turn a very light golden brown.
8. Immediately after removing from the oven, top with sprinkles or sanding sugar if desired. Let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes to firm up, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Repeat the process with the remaining dough until all cookies are baked.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 69kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 28mg, Potassium: 10mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 128IU, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 1mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Annalise Sandberg

This recipe was originally published December 2016, and was developed in partnership with Go Bold With Butter.