Grab that cookie press and make up a batch of these festive Christmas spritz cookies. A homemade spritz cookie that is shaped and decorated for the Christmas season. Buttery and melt-in-your-mouth delicious cookies that will impress a crowd with their pretty presentation value.
Spritz cookies are a very popular cookie that is perfect for adding to your cookie tins that you gift at the holidays, a treat to take and make for parties, potlucks, and to nibble on as you watch your favorite holiday movies. Pair with a tall glass of milk or a cup of coffee, these easy homemade spritz cookies hit the spot.
Want more Christmas desserts? If so I have a few more that might tickle your sweet tooth. Try my Christmas sugar cookie bites, cranberry pound cake, or even whip up this Christmas dessert lasagna. All are very popular dessert ideas for the holidays.
What Are Spritz Cookies?
Spritz cookies also known as spritzer cookies are delicious buttery-flavored cookies. You use a cookie press to make these cookies for a decorative design. You can also use a pastry bag if you do not have a cookie press.
Reasons You Will Love This Christmas Spritz Cookie Recipe
- The perfect cookie press cookie recipe to whip up for a stunning cookie design.
- Buttery, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Quick prep on the cookie dough. Then you can have fun picking out any style of cookie press designs you want.
- The possibilities are endless in terms of the look of these cookies.
- Decorate the cookies with colored frosting, sprinkles, etc.
- Kids will love helping make these spritz cookies, and enjoy nibbling on them.
Ingredients Needed
Flour: Make sure to scoop the flour into the measuring cup, and then level it off. You do not want to add too much flour, as it can dry out cookies.
Salt: Salt is needed to help enhance the flavor of the cookies. Without it, you will find it lacks flavor.
Butter: Reach for real butter for this spritz cookie recipe. It is going to add flavor, keep cookies moist, and create a light and tender texture.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the cookie dough. Plus it helps create a tender texture to the cookies.
Egg: The egg is the binder in the cookie recipe. Eggs also are used in baking to add moisture to the recipe.
Extracts: Vanilla extract and almond extract come together to create an INSANE flavor to the cookies. Trust using them both, they are heavenly.
Food Coloring: If you want to have colored frosting or colored cookie dough reach for food coloring. Any colors work.
Sprinkles and Frosting: Now you can use sprinkles and frosting or icing to help add even more incredible sweetness and color to the cookies.
Variations to Recipe
- Use any shape of cookie press design you would like. Use any or all the designs your heart desires.
- Add orange zest or even lemon zest for a punch of citrus flavor to the cookies.
- Mix in some cocoa powder (1-2 tablespoons) to cookie dough for a twist of chocolate flavor.
- Mix in some pumpkin pie spice, or individual spices to create a warm spiced cookie.
- Add a dollop of jam or Nutella in the center of the cookies for more of a thumbprint cookie recipe.
- Dip the bottom or half the cookies in melted chocolate for a twist of flavor. Dark, milk, or even white chocolate works.
- Dust cookies with powdered sugar instead of icing them.
- Sprinkles, and edible glitter, are all great options for adding more color to the cookie dough.
Tips for Success
Room Temperature Ingredients
When baking cookies I highly recommend always using room-temperature ingredients for eggs, butter, or other dairy items. The reason is it will mix really well with the batter but it also helps create that light and flaky texture.
Chill Cookie Sheets
I always say to chill the cookie sheets in the fridge for freezer for 15-30 minutes before you pipe the cookies onto the pan. The reason is it is going to help the cookies hold the shape you pushed out on the pan.
Cookie Press
Make sure to follow the manual on how to use your cookie press. You will find that each press can be a bit different so make sure to follow the guide of your manual.
Cooling Rack
Place the cookies on a cooling rack once they are done baking. Allow the cookies to cool before you add icing and decorations to the cookies.
Work Quickly
If the cookie dough gets too warm it can cause the cookies to fall or spread too much on the pan as they bake up. So working relatively quickly is key.
Size of Cookie and Bake Time
Depending on the size of your cookies the baking time will vary. Make sure that you aim to create similar-sized cookies for the tray when you go to bake. If they are largely different in size you will find the cookies will not be baked evenly.
Storing Cookies
Store your cookies at room temperature in a sealed container. Now if you use a cream cheese-based frosting or a type that requires refrigeration then of course store it in the fridge. The cookies will last around a week.
You are more than welcome to freeze the cookies as well. Place in a freezer container or freezer bag. Freeze for 4-5 months. Then thaw on the counter or eat straight from frozen.
FAQs
Why did my spritz cookies spread too much?
If you find your cookies are spreading when they are baking, the dough might need to be chilled for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Sometimes if the dough is too warm, it will spread too much in the oven.
Why did my spritz cookies turn out dry and crumbly?
If you overbake the spritzer cookies they will get dry and crumble. It is important to watch the cookies and remove them when they are lightly golden brown and no longer doughy.
Can I freeze spritz cookie dough?
Yes, go right ahead and freeze the raw cookie dough if you would like. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then store in a freezer container or bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Then thaw the dough in the fridge. Once thawed, add to cookie press and shape and bake.
More Christmas Recipes
Christmas Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups of flour
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup of butter 1 ½ sticks softened
- ¾ cup of granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp of vanilla
- ¼ tsp of almond extract
- Food color and sprinkles optional
- Icing either homemade or store-bought (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Using a hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar, until smooth
- Add in the egg, almond extract and vanilla extract
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk flour and salt together. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
- **Note this step is optional** If using food coloring to color the dough before baking, separate the dough equally into small bowls. Add in a few drops of food coloring (colors of your choice) and then stir into the dough until incorporated.
- Next, place the dough into the cookie press with the desired disk in place, hold the cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet (don’t line it with parchment paper, you want the cookie to stick to the pan a little), press the release trigger to push the dough through the disk. Leave about one-inch space between cookies (these cookies don’t spread very much). Add sprinkles to the cookies before baking if desired.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes on a cooling rack.
- **Note this step is optional** If using icing and sprinkles to decorate after baking, you can do so once the cookies have cooled completely.
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