Christmas Spritz Cookies

The buttery aroma of freshly baked Christmas Spritz Cookies wafting through a warm kitchen is perhaps one of the most cherished holiday memories. These delicate, crisp treats with their distinctive shapes and festive colors have been a staple of holiday baking traditions for generations. The name “spritz” comes from the German word “spritzen,” meaning “to squirt” – exactly how these cookies are formed using a cookie press. You’ll learn how to create these beautiful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that will become the centerpiece of your holiday cookie platter this season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Spritz Cookies deserve a spot in your holiday baking rotation for countless reasons. First, their buttery, vanilla-scented flavor creates the perfect canvas for holiday decorating while remaining irresistibly delicious on their own. The texture is what makes these cookies truly special – crisp edges that give way to a tender, slightly crumbly center that dissolves on your tongue.

Unlike many holiday cookies that require chilling, rolling, and cutting, spritz cookies go from mixer to oven in minutes. The cookie press does all the work, creating perfectly uniform, intricate shapes with minimal effort. Plus, these cookies maintain their shape beautifully during baking, making them perfect for gifting or displaying on cookie platters.

The versatility of these spritz Christmas cookies means you can customize them with different extracts, colors, and decorations to suit your holiday aesthetic or family traditions. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to holiday cookie making, this recipe delivers consistent, impressive results.

Ingredients

For perfect Christmas Spritz Cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ⅔ cup (135g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional but traditional)
• 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Food coloring (red, green, or colors of choice)
• Sprinkles, colored sugar, or nonpareils for decorating
• Optional: ¼ cup finely chopped nuts or ½ cup mini chocolate chips

The butter must be softened but not melted – this creates the perfect consistency for pressing. Using high-quality vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in these simple cookies where flavor nuances shine through.

Pro Tips

Perfect Dough Consistency
The most critical factor for successful spritz cookies is achieving the right dough consistency. It should be soft enough to press through the cookie press but firm enough to hold its shape. If your dough is too soft, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes, but never longer – cold dough won’t press properly. If too stiff, let it warm slightly at room temperature or add ½ teaspoon of milk.

Cookie Press Technique
Success with a cookie press requires a few tricks. Always use ungreased, room temperature baking sheets – the dough needs to stick to the surface when pressed. Hold the press perpendicular to the baking sheet, press down with consistent pressure, and lift straight up. If shapes aren’t forming properly, wipe the baking sheet clean and try again.

Even Baking
Watch these cookies carefully as they bake. Their high butter content means they go from perfectly done to over-browned quickly. For even baking, use light-colored aluminum baking sheets, rotate halfway through baking, and remove when edges are just barely starting to turn golden – usually 6-8 minutes depending on your oven.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Assemble your cookie press with your chosen disc designs. Have ungreased baking sheets ready. This is important: do not use parchment paper or silicone mats as the dough needs to adhere directly to the baking sheet to press properly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Don’t rush this step – proper creaming incorporates air into the dough, creating that perfect spritz texture.

Step 3: Add Egg and Flavorings
Beat in the egg until fully incorporated, then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can make your cookies tough, so stop once the flour disappears.

Step 5: Divide and Color
If using multiple colors, divide the dough into portions. Add a few drops of food coloring to each portion and gently work it through until the color is uniform. For marbled effects, lightly swirl colors together without fully mixing.

Step 6: Fill and Press Cookies
Fill your cookie press with dough, following manufacturer’s instructions. Press cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart. If the dough sticks to the press instead of the baking sheet, try cooling the baking sheet or warming the dough slightly.

Step 7: Decorate and Bake
Add sprinkles or decorations before baking if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes until set but not browned. Watch carefully, as these cookies bake quickly and can burn easily due to their high butter content.

Step 8: Cool and Store
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. This short rest time helps them firm up enough to move without breaking.

Variations

Chocolate Spritz
Create delectable chocolate Christmas Spritz Cookies by replacing ¼ cup of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. For an even more indulgent version, dip the cooled cookies halfway into melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint for a festive touch. The chocolate variation works particularly well with the wreath or tree-shaped discs.

Citrus Spice Spritz
For a refreshing twist, add 1 tablespoon of orange or lemon zest to the dough along with ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. This variation brings bright, seasonal flavors that complement holiday beverages perfectly. The citrus oils in the zest also give these cookies an incredible aroma while baking.

Gluten-Free Option
These festive spritz cookies can be made gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend. Add ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it already to help maintain the proper texture for pressing through the cookie press.

Storage and Serving

Christmas Spritz Cookies are not only delicious but also excellent keepers. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – simply layer them between pieces of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container to prevent sticking.

For gift-giving, arrange an assortment of different shapes and colors in decorative tins lined with holiday tissue paper. The cookies’ durability makes them perfect for shipping to far-away loved ones during the holiday season.

Serve spritz cookies alongside complementary beverages like hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. They make a delightful addition to any cookie platter, but also work beautifully as a simple dessert following a heavy holiday meal when guests want “just a little something sweet.” For an elegant presentation, dust cookies lightly with powdered sugar just before serving.

FAQs

Why won’t my dough stick to the baking sheet?
This is usually because either your baking sheet has residual grease or is too warm/cold. Make sure to use a clean, ungreased, room temperature baking sheet. Never use parchment paper or silicone mats with spritz cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. However, you’ll need to bring it completely to room temperature before using the cookie press.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies are spreading, your butter was likely too soft or the dough too warm. Refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes and try again.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
For best results, stick with butter. Margarine has a higher water content that can affect the texture and flavor significantly.

How do I know when the cookies are done?
Spritz cookies should remain pale with just the slightest golden color at the edges. They’ll still be soft when you take them out but will firm up as they cool.

Conclusion

These Christmas Spritz Cookies are holiday baking at its finest — delicate, buttery morsels that balance simplicity with festive charm. They’re the kind of cookies that transport you back to childhood memories while creating new traditions with your own family. The press-and-bake simplicity makes them accessible even on busy December days, while their elegant appearance belies the minimal effort required. Whether you’re passing down a family tradition or starting a new one, these spritz cookies deserve a permanent place in your holiday baking repertoire.

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