Christmas Spritz Cookies

The delicate, buttery aroma of Christmas Spritz Cookies filling your home signals that holiday baking season has officially begun. These crisp, melt-in-your-mouth treats have been a festive tradition for generations, with their beautiful pressed shapes and customizable colors and flavors. Christmas Spritz Cookies stand out from other holiday cookies because of their distinctive texture—tender yet firm enough to hold their intricate designs. You’ll learn how to create these showstopping cookies that not only taste delicious but also make perfect gifts and stunning additions to your holiday cookie platter.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Spritz Cookies will quickly become your holiday baking staple for several irresistible reasons. First, the texture contrast is simply perfect—crisp edges giving way to a tender, buttery center that dissolves on your tongue. Unlike many holiday cookies that require rolling and cutting, these cookies go from mixer to baking sheet in minutes using a cookie press, making them ideal for busy holiday schedules.

The versatility of Christmas Spritz Cookies is another major selling point. The basic dough serves as a blank canvas for countless flavor variations and color combinations. Whether you prefer classic almond, vibrant lemon, or rich chocolate, this adaptable recipe delivers consistent results every time.

Perhaps most importantly, these cookies evoke nostalgia while creating new memories. The process of pressing the dough through the cookie press is so satisfying that children and adults alike will want to participate, creating a wonderful holiday baking tradition for your family. The recipe yields about 6-7 dozen cookies, providing plenty for sharing with neighbors, packaging as gifts, or enjoying throughout the season.

Ingredients

For perfect Christmas Spritz Cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened but still cool to the touch
• ⅔ cup (133g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour, measured by spoon-and-sweep method

For decorating:

• Colored sugar sprinkles
• Nonpareils
• Candied cherries, halved
• Colored sanding sugar

The butter quality is crucial—use a good European-style butter with higher fat content for the richest flavor. The extract you choose dramatically impacts the final taste; traditional almond extract provides that classic spritz cookie flavor, while vanilla offers a more subtle, universally appealing taste. For best results, make sure your egg is truly at room temperature to achieve proper emulsification in the dough.

Pro Tips

Dough Consistency Is Everything
The single most important factor for successful Christmas Spritz Cookies is achieving the correct dough consistency. Too soft, and the cookies will spread and lose their shape; too firm, and they won’t press properly. Your dough should feel like soft clay—pliable but not sticky. If your dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes (but never longer, as cold dough won’t press properly). If too stiff, let it warm slightly at room temperature.

Master Your Cookie Press
Before loading your press with dough, always test-press a few cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Unlike other cookies, spritz cookies adhere better to ungreased, room temperature baking sheets. If the dough isn’t sticking to the sheet, try slightly warming your baking sheet or cooling it if the dough spreads too much. Find your rhythm with the press—each click should release just enough dough for one perfectly formed cookie.

Perfect Your Decorating Technique
Apply decorations immediately after pressing each cookie, before the surface begins to dry. For sprinkles and sugars to adhere properly, gently press them into the dough. When using cherries or other heavier decorations, create a small indentation in the cookie with your fingertip first to help them stay in place during baking. Remember that simple decorations often create the most elegant results.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Assemble your cookie press with your chosen disc pattern. For Christmas Spritz Cookies, traditional shapes include trees, wreaths, stars, and snowflakes. There’s no need to grease your baking sheets—a clean, ungreased surface helps the pressed dough adhere properly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 30 seconds until creamy. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This incorporates air into the dough, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes Christmas Spritz Cookies so irresistible. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently for even incorporation.

Step 3: Add Egg and Flavorings
Beat in the egg, salt, and your chosen extract (vanilla or almond) until completely incorporated. The mixture should look smooth and slightly glossy. This is also the stage where you can add food coloring if desired—gel food coloring works best as it won’t affect the dough consistency. For holiday Christmas Spritz Cookies, try dividing the dough and creating red and green batches.

Step 4: Incorporate Flour
Gradually add the flour, about half a cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until combined. Overmixing at this stage will develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies. The finished dough should be soft but not sticky, holding its shape when pressed. If the dough seems too soft, chill briefly for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Fill and Press Cookies
Load the dough into your cookie press according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Hold the press perpendicular to the ungreased baking sheet and press out cookies with consistent pressure, spacing them about 1½ inches apart. If a cookie doesn’t release cleanly, simply scrape it back into the dough bowl and try again. Work efficiently as Christmas Spritz Cookies press best when the dough is at the perfect temperature.

Step 6: Decorate and Bake
Immediately decorate your pressed cookies before baking. Add sprinkles, sugars, or halved cherries while the dough is still soft so they’ll adhere during baking. Bake one sheet at a time in the middle rack of your oven for 7-10 minutes. The cookies should be set but not browned at the edges—overbaking will make them lose their tender texture. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for just 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Variations

Chocolate Spritz Cookies
Transform your Christmas Spritz Cookies into chocolate delights by replacing 1/4 cup of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. For an extra dimension of flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of espresso powder and a few drops of orange extract. The rich, dark cookies look stunning when dusted with powdered sugar or adorned with white chocolate drizzle after baking.

Citrus Sparkle Spritz
For a refreshing twist, add 1 tablespoon of lemon, orange, or lime zest to your basic Christmas Spritz Cookie dough. Enhance the citrus flavor with a matching extract (1/2 teaspoon) in addition to your vanilla. After baking, dip half of each cookie in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and the corresponding citrus juice, then sprinkle with colored sugar while still wet for a glistening finish.

Gluten-Free Holiday Spritz
Accommodate guests with dietary restrictions by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour. Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it to help the cookies hold their shape. These adaptations create inclusive Christmas Spritz Cookies that everyone can enjoy without sacrificing the classic taste or texture.

Storage and Serving

Christmas Spritz Cookies maintain their fresh flavor and texture when stored properly in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve decorations. For longer storage, these cookies freeze exceptionally well for up to 3 months—simply thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

For a festive presentation, arrange different shapes and colors of Christmas Spritz Cookies on a tiered serving plate, alternating patterns for visual interest. They pair perfectly with hot chocolate, coffee, or a glass of cold milk. For an elegant holiday dessert, sandwich two cookies with a thin layer of chocolate ganache or buttercream frosting.

These cookies make spectacular gifts—arrange them in decorative tins lined with festive tissue paper or stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Include a note with storage instructions so recipients can enjoy their Christmas Spritz Cookies throughout the holiday season.

FAQs

Why won’t my dough stick to the cookie sheet?
The most common reason Christmas Spritz Cookies won’t stick is that your baking sheet is either greased or too cold. Always use clean, ungreased baking sheets at room temperature. Sometimes slightly warming the baking sheet can help the dough adhere better.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days. However, you must bring it completely to room temperature before using your cookie press, as cold dough won’t press properly. Knead the dough gently with your hands to restore its pliable texture.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your Christmas Spritz Cookies are losing their shape, your butter was likely too warm or the dough too soft. Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes and try again. Also ensure your baking sheets are completely cool between batches.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
For authentic Christmas Spritz Cookies, real butter is strongly recommended. Margarine contains more water and less fat, resulting in cookies that spread more and lack that signature buttery flavor.

How do I clean my cookie press properly?
Disassemble your cookie press completely after use. Most modern presses are dishwasher safe, but check manufacturer instructions. For vintage metal presses, hand wash and dry thoroughly to prevent rusting. Proper maintenance ensures your press will work perfectly for many batches of Christmas Spritz Cookies.

Conclusion

These Christmas Spritz Cookies are comfort food at its finest — delicate, buttery bites of nostalgia that transform ordinary moments into holiday magic. They’re the kind of treat that bridges generations, with grandparents recognizing the familiar shapes and flavors while children delight in the fun of creating and decorating them. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, these cookies capture the essence of holiday baking—simple ingredients transformed by care and creativity into something truly special that brings people together.

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