Best Spritz Cookies | The Recipe Critic

Spritz cookies are buttery and delicious, made with a cookie press to create festive shapes! Perfect for adding to any holiday dessert spread.

If you love butter cookies… you’re in the right place. These spritz cookies are so delicious with the BEST rich and buttery flavor. Another great recipe to add to the list is this one for Scottish shortbread! Both are perfect for Christmas, Santa won’t be able to resist. (Unless they’re all eaten before he arrives. Guilty!)

What are Spritz Cookies?

A cousin to butter cookies, these delights get their name from the German word “spritzen,” which means “to squirt.” That’s exactly how they’re made: the dough gets pushed through a special press, creating all sorts of fun shapes, from wreaths to Christmas trees. You can even add a little food coloring to the dough to make them extra festive.

Let’s talk about these cookies, though. They’re like little bites of pure happiness. With just a hint of sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s somewhere between a classic sugar cookie and a buttery shortbread, they’re satisfying without being too heavy. And the best part? They’re a fun to make! Pressing the dough through the cookie press is like playing with Play-Doh, but with the delicious reward of fresh-baked treats. It’s an activity that’s fun for the whole family, and the endless shapes and designs make them perfect for any occasion. So gather your sprinkles and food coloring, preheat the oven, and get ready to spritz up some fun!

Ingredients Needed

The best thing about spritz cookies is that you only need basic ingredients to make them. You may need to pick up some sprinkles or food coloring, because decorating them is half the fun!

• Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter for easy mixing and a smooth dough. You can also use salted butter for your spritz cookies, just omit the added salt!
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies spread slightly.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients!
• Large Eggs: Use room temperature eggs for better mixing.
• Vanilla Extract and Almond Extract: Add subtle flavor and depth to the Spritz cookies. Feel free to experiment with different extracts like lemon, hazelnut or peppermint!
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cookie’s structure.
• Sanding Sugar and Sprinkles: Add a festive touch. Use any kind you prefer!

Spritz Cookie Recipe

Spritz cookies can sometimes be a little finicky, so use these instructions to get them to turn out perfectly every time! Trust me though, they are SO worth it. Buttery, delicious, and festive! Everything you could want from a Christmas cookie!

1. Preheat Oven, Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and then place two cookie sheets in the freezer.
2. Butter Mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, sugar, and salt. Beat with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond and beat until well combined. You will likely need to scrape down the bowl two or three times to make sure everything is completely incorporated.
4. Mix in Flour: Add the flour in 2-3 additions, scraping down the bowl as needed, until the flour is completely incorporated.
5. Cookie Press: Assemble the cookie press with the desired disc. Fill the press with the dough. Place the press flat against one of the chilled baking sheets and press the cookie press for 1 click. Hold for 2-3 seconds before pulling away. If the cookie doesn’t stick to the baking sheet, you can use a small silicone spatula to carefully peel it away from the press and let it fall onto the baking sheet. They can be moved as needed, so long as you are very gentle with them to not ruin the shape.
6. Decorate and Bake: If desired, sprinkle with sanding sugar or sprinkles. Bake for 7-8 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.