Spritz Cookies are similar to Shortbread Cookies– slightly sweet, buttery delights formed with a cookie press and decorated perfectly for your holiday cookie tray! With these festive and endlessly customizable Spritz Cookies, they are sure to be a big hit at your Christmas party!
What is a Spritz Cookie?
Spritz Cookies are very similar to Shortbread or Butter Cookies. The word “spritz” actually comes from the German word spritzen which means “to squirt”. This refers to squirting or pushing the cookie dough through a cookie press. The only ingredient that sets these apart is adding an egg to the dough. Eggs help the spritz cookies hold their shape when baked, so they don’t crumble like shortbread cookies do. The dough is very soft and buttery making it easy to roll and put into a cookie press to make fun little shapes.
What is a Cookie Press?
A cookie press presses your cookie dough through a cylindrical tube with a stenciled metal plate to create beautifully shaped cookies. I think mine came with about 12 different designs. It’s actually a lot easier than a rolling pin and cookie cutters!
The best cookie presses are OXO and Wilton because of their minimal effort of making consistent cookies, affordable price, integrated base, and easy loading. This is the one I have and I love it. Just as a general tip, if your dough is too sticky, you’ll hate your attempt to use it in the cookie press – add 1 tablespoon at a time of flour to overly sticky dough.
How to Make Spritz Cookies
For full recipe details, including ingredients list and measurements, see the printable recipe card below. Here is what you can expect step by step for this recipe:
Preheat Oven + Prep Cookie Press
Preheat oven. Prepare your cookie press according to manufacturer instructions.
Cream Butter + Sugar Together
In large bowl cream butter and sugar together for 3 full minutes, scraping sides of bowl periodically. This can be done with a stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand mixer.
Mix in Egg + Almond Extract
Mix in egg and almond extract. Scrape down sides and give one more mix.
Add Flour + Salt
Add flour and salt and mix JUST until combined.
Add Food Coloring
If using food coloring (optional), separate your dough as needed and gradually add drops of food coloring until desired color is obtained.
Press the Dough
Roll dough into a few logs the size of your cookie press and place inside the barrel of your press.
Follow instructions that came with your cookie press to prepare for pressing out the cookies.
Place Cut Cookies onto Baking Sheet
Place cookie directly on cookie sheet so that the dough STICKS to the baking sheet. For some, parchment paper or a silicone mat may help the dough to stick, so you may need to play around with different options.
Using Sprinkles?
Decorate your cookies BEFORE baking with desired toppings (except frosting).
Bake
Bake for 5-7 minutes. 5 minutes is the sweet spot for me, but if you like them crunchier, bake longer. Immediately place on cooling rack.
If using decorative cookie frosting, wait for cookies to cool completely first.
Spritz Cookie Topping Ideas
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Fun Sprinkles
- Decorative Sugar
- Chopped Nuts
- Candied Fruit
- Sugar Cookie Frosting – I have the perfect sugar frosting recipe found in my Frosted Sugar Cookies post.
Why did my Cookies flatten out so much?
Just like a cold oven can affect your cookies, so can an oven that is too hot. If your oven is too cold, then it can cause your cookies to spread too much before the edges set. And if your oven is too hot, it will cause the edges set too quickly before the cookie can spread at all causing for a cookie that spread less.
Storage and Make Ahead Directions
Storing – Baked spritz cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Make Ahead – You can chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before pressing the dough through the cookie press and baking.
Freezing – You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before pressing and baking.
More Christmas Cookies to Try!
- Amaretti Cookies
- Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Chocolate Mint Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
I hope you have fun with these cookies! Be sure to print, save, bookmark or share this recipe to keep handy. Have a great day, friends! 
Spritz Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 tsp almond extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
For decorating
- sprinkles
- cookie frosting
- decorative sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Prepare your cookie press according to manufacturer instructions.
- In large bowl cream butter and sugar together for 3 full minutes, scraping sides of bowl periodically. This can be done with a stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand mixer.
- Mix in egg and almond extract. Scrape down sides and give one more mix.
- Add flour and salt and mix JUST until combined.
- If using food coloring (optional), separate your dough as needed and gradually add drops of food coloring until desired color is obtained.
- Roll dough into a few logs the size of your cookie press and place inside the barrel of your press.
- Follow instructions to prepare your cookie press for pressing out the cookies.
- Place cookie press directly on cookie sheet so that the dough STICKS to the cookie sheet. For some, parchment paper or a silicone mat may help the dough to stick, so you may need to play around with different options.
- Decorate your cookies BEFORE baking with desired toppings (except frosting).
- Bake at 350° F for 5-7 minutes. 5 minutes is the sweet spot for me, but if you like them crunchier, bake longer.
- Immediately place on cooling rack.
- If using decorative cookie frosting, wait for cookies to cool completely first.
Nutrition
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