The Best Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year for baking! Get ready to dive into a beloved holiday tradition with this fantastic christmas spritz cookies recipe. These classic cookies are a holiday staple, known for their irresistible buttery taste and delightfully tender texture. Making them is simple, and they bring so much joy. Gather your ingredients and create some festive magic in your kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe

You are going to adore this easy and fun christmas spritz cookies recipe. These cookies feature a fantastic buttery flavor that simply melts in your mouth with every bite. The dough is wonderfully straightforward, making the entire baking process stress-free and enjoyable. You won’t need to chill the dough, which means quick prep and less waiting around. Customize them easily with vibrant colors and sparkling sprinkles to match any festive theme. They are absolutely perfect for holiday cookie platters or edible gifts, and this recipe makes a generous batch, ensuring plenty for sharing and savoring.

Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Spritz Cookies

Crafting delightful spritz cookies starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you need for this simple and flavorful christmas spritz cookies recipe:

1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature: Essential for a tender cookie.
3/4 cup (155g) granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s delicate texture.
1 large egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness to the dough.
1 tsp vanilla extract: A foundational flavor for classic spritz cookies.
1 tsp almond extract: Gives spritz cookies their signature, beloved taste.
2 1/4 cups (293g) all-purpose flour: The structure for your cookies; measure it correctly.
1/2 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Red gel icing color, optional: For vibrant, festive holiday hues.
Green gel icing color, optional: To create classic red and green spritz cookies.
Sprinkles: Perfect for decorating and adding a joyful sparkle.

Notes & Substitutions

Butter: Always use good quality unsalted butter at true room temperature. This ensures it creams smoothly and evenly.
Extracts: You can adjust the ratio of vanilla and almond extracts to your preference. Pure extracts provide the best flavor.
Flour: Measure flour using the spoon and level method to avoid a dense, dry dough. Spoon flour into the measuring cup, then level it off with a straight edge.
Coloring: Gel food colors are highly recommended as they are concentrated and will not thin out your cookie dough. Liquid food colors can make the dough too soft.
Dairy-Free: While possible, using butter substitutes may significantly alter the texture and flavor of these delicate cookies.

Essential Equipment

Having the right tools makes baking these holiday treats a breeze. This christmas spritz cookies recipe relies on a few key items:

Stand mixer: Fitted with a paddle attachment for effortlessly creaming butter and sugar.
Cookie press: The star of the show, complete with assorted decorative discs to create beautiful shapes.
Baking sheets: Sturdy, light-colored sheets help prevent over-browning.
Silicone baking mats: Crucial for ensuring your cookies adhere correctly to the sheet when pressed and release easily after baking.
Rubber spatula: Handy for scraping down the sides of the bowl and finishing the dough.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Christmas Spritz Cookies

Follow these easy steps to create your perfect batch of christmas spritz cookies recipe. This guide simplifies the process, making it enjoyable for any baker.

Prep Oven & Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line several sturdy baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Do not use parchment paper for spritz cookies; the dough needs a surface it can firmly stick to when pressed. Set your prepped cookie sheets aside.
Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixer bowl, cream the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together using your stand mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture appears light in color and becomes wonderfully fluffy. You will notice a distinct change in texture and color when it’s ready.
Add Wet Ingredients: Next, add the large egg to the creamed mixture and mix until it is thoroughly combined. Follow with the vanilla extract and almond extract, mixing again until they are fully incorporated and fragrant.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough just begins to come together.
Finish Dough: Remove the bowl from the mixer. Use a rubber spatula to gently finish combining the dough, ensuring no dry flour spots remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Color Dough (Optional): If you wish to make colorful spritz cookies, divide the dough into equal portions (e.g., three for white, red, and green). Add a small amount of gel icing color to each portion and mix it in thoroughly until a uniform color is achieved. Start with a little color, as you can always add more but cannot remove it. Avoid adding too much liquid, as this can thin the dough.
Load Cookie Press: Select your favorite decorative disc and assemble your cookie press according to its instructions. Fill the barrel of the press with one of your dough colors.
Press Cookies: Hold the cookie press perpendicular to your silicone-lined baking sheet. Press out the cookies directly onto the ungreased mat, applying firm, even pressure. They can be placed fairly close together on the sheet as they do not spread much during baking.
Decorate Immediately: As soon as you press the cookies onto the sheet, add your desired sprinkles or decorations. This ensures they adhere well before baking.
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 5-8 minutes. For a softer, more tender cookie, bake closer to 5 minutes. Watch for the edges to be just set and very lightly golden. Adjust baking time based on your specific oven.
Cool: Remove the baked cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 4-5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store: Once fully cooled, store your delicious christmas spritz cookies recipe creations in an airtight container at room temperature for up to about one week to maintain their freshness and delicate texture.

Pro Tips for Christmas Spritz Cookies & Troubleshooting

Achieve perfect spritz cookies every time with these helpful hints and easy fixes. This christmas spritz cookies recipe is simple, but these tips make it even better.

Room Temperature Butter: Crucial for a smooth, pliable dough that presses easily. If your butter is too cold, the dough will be stiff; too warm, it will be greasy.
Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough only until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tougher cookies instead of light and tender ones.
Silicone Mats Are Best: Silicone baking mats provide the necessary grip for the cookie press to work correctly. The dough needs to adhere to the mat to form distinct shapes.
Cookie Press Technique: Hold the press directly perpendicular to the baking sheet. Apply one firm, steady press for each cookie to create crisp, defined shapes.
Proper Baking Time: Remove cookies promptly once the edges are just set and barely golden. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
Troubleshooting Sticky Dough: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, add a tiny bit more flour (1 tablespoon at a time) and mix gently. Alternatively, chill the dough in the fridge for 5-10 minutes if your kitchen is very warm.
Troubleshooting Broken Shapes: Don’t worry if a few cookies don’t come out perfectly. Simply gather the misshapen dough and re-press them onto the sheet.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations

This versatile christmas spritz cookies recipe offers many ways to enjoy and customize your holiday treats.

Serving

Enjoy these delightful cookies with a warm mug of hot chocolate or your favorite coffee.
They are an absolutely essential addition to any festive holiday cookie platter, adding color and classic charm.
Package them beautifully for thoughtful homemade gifts that friends and family will cherish.

Storage

Store baked spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
For longer freshness, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks.
You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
To prepare ahead, freeze unbaked dough logs. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw slightly before pressing and baking.

Flavor Variations

Add citrus zest (lemon or orange) to the dough for a bright, fresh twist.
After baking and cooling, dip them in melted chocolate and let set for an extra indulgence.
Top the cookies with chopped nuts or small candied cherries before baking for added texture and flavor.
Experiment with different extracts like peppermint extract for a cool, minty flavor, especially for winter holidays.

Nutrition Facts

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one cookie from this christmas spritz cookies recipe. Please note these are approximate values and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and exact preparation.

Nutrient	Amount Per Cookie
Calories	80-90
Total Fat	5-6g
Saturated Fat	3-4g
Cholesterol	15-20mg
Sodium	25-30mg
Carbohydrates	9-11g
Sugars	5-7g
Protein	1g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate based on ingredients used and is provided for informational purposes only. Actual values may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Christmas Spritz Cookies

Curious about this beloved holiday treat? Here are some common questions about our christmas spritz cookies recipe.

What is a Spritz cookie? A spritz cookie is a traditional butter cookie, often made for holidays, which is pressed through a cookie press to create various decorative shapes. The name “spritz” comes from the German word “spritzen,” meaning “to squirt,” referring to the method of forming them.
Why isn’t my cookie press working? Common issues include dough that’s too cold or too warm, or not using the correct baking surface. Ensure your dough is at room temperature and you’re pressing onto ungreased silicone mats or bare baking sheets.
Can I make Spritz cookies without a cookie press? While a press creates the signature shapes, you can roll the dough into logs, slice them, or use small cookie cutters. The texture will be similar, but the appearance will differ.
Can I freeze Spritz cookie dough? Yes, you can freeze spritz cookie dough. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, freezing for up to a month. Thaw it in the refrigerator before pressing and baking.
How long do Christmas Spritz Cookies last? Baked spritz cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for up to three months.

Conclusion

This christmas spritz cookies recipe brings so much joy and simplicity to your holiday baking. Their delicate, buttery flavor and festive shapes make them a cherished part of any celebration. These beautiful cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a way to create wonderful holiday memories with loved ones. We encourage you to try this recipe and share your delicious creations. Get ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of holiday cheer!