The BEST Spritz Cookie Recipe (2024)

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Shelly 85 Comments

★★★★★5 from 25 reviews

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Buttery and festive, these Spritz Cookies are ready in just 20 minutes with a handful of pantry staples. A nostalgic classic cookie that’s a must-bake for every holiday cookie tray.

The BEST Spritz Cookie Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why This Is The Best Spritz Cookie Recipe
  • What ARE Spritz Cookies?
  • Ingredients
  • Tools
  • How To Make Spritz Cookies
  • How Do I Get My Spritz Cookie Dough Not To Stick To the Cookie Press?
  • Spritz Cookie Variations
  • Proper Storage
  • More Christmas Cookie Ideas
  • Get the Recipe

Why This Is The Best Spritz Cookie Recipe

  • A classic Christmas cookie. Isn’t there just something so cozy and special about a classic spritz cookie? It’s a Christmas cookie tray staple.
  • Super easy to make. The cookie press makes these beautiful cookies super simple to make. The dough comes together with just a few pantry staples and they bake in just 7 minutes.
  • Store well. One reason I love spritz cookies so much is that they store well at room temperature and you can freeze them too. Perfect for making in advance of the holiday rush!

Looking for more Christmas cookie recipes? Check out my easy sugar cookies, perfect snickerdoodles, and linzer cookie recipes too.

What ARE Spritz Cookies?

You might even ask what IS a spritz cookie? The word “spritz” comes from the German word “spritzen”, meaning “to squirt” because the soft dough is squirted or pushed through a cookie press to make fancy designs. Long story short, it’s basically a pressed sugar cookie, a lot like shortbread cookies.

Ingredients

Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to make these spritz cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.

  • Room temperature butter – I use salted, but this is a personal preference
  • Powdered sugar – Sweetens the cookies.
  • Large egg
  • Almond extract – You can also use vanilla extract if you prefer.
  • Kosher salt
  • All purpose flour
  • Milk – I use a little milk in the glaze to get that perfect consistency.
  • Sprinkles – To decorate if you want!
The BEST Spritz Cookie Recipe (2)

Tools

  • Cookie Press. All cookie presses are not created equal. After testing many brands, this OXO press has been my tried and true since I found it in 2017. It is fairly inexpensive, very easy to use, comes with a disk for making any design you would like: wreaths, swirls, trees, flowers etc. Plus it comes with a container to keep them in. It’s sturdy and comfortable in your hand!
  • Parchment paper. I really like to use parchment with the majority of my cookie baking, and this spritz cookie recipe is no different.
  • Cookie sheet. A high quality baking sheet is nice to own in general, but I have this THIS COOKIE SHEET is really nice for these cookies that you don’t want to brown too fast.

How To Make Spritz Cookies

Here’s a quick overview of how to make this spritz cookie recipe. See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

The BEST Spritz Cookie Recipe (3)
The BEST Spritz Cookie Recipe (4)
  • Make the dough. Mix the butter and powdered sugar with a paddle attachment on medium speed. Mix in the egg, extract, and salt. Turn the speed to low and mix in the flour.
  • Press the cookies. Transfer about a cup of dough at a time to the cookie press. Press cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake. Bake for 6-7 minutes, until lightly golden on the edges. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  • Make the icing. Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk. Dip the cops of the cookies into the glaze and top with sprinkles if desired. Allow to set completely before storing.

How Do I Get My Spritz Cookie Dough Not To Stick To the Cookie Press?

This is the most frequently asked question I get about spritz cookies. And to give you an honest answer…I kind of don’t.

This spritz cookie dough isn’t sticky and it does come out in beautiful shapes but it doesn’t come off the press every single time.

I have made peace with this. As I have tweaked the dough recipe, I have found that the drier you make the dough, the more crumbly the cookie. And with a crumbly cookie, you don’t always get a perfectly shaped cookie. It’s a fine line folks!

If the cookie dough sticks to the press when you lift it off the baking sheet, just gently remove it and place it back on the baking sheet. No stress!

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Spritz Cookie Variations

There are so many ways to customize your spritz cookies. Here are a few ideas.

  • Add some color. Feel free to add a few drops of food coloring to your spritz cookie dough. I like to do this around the holidays with red and green.
  • Add spices. Try adding a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice to your dough to make these unique!
  • Switch up the extract. I add almond extract, but like I said you can add vanilla, or how about coconut extract, rum extract, or even lemon extract or add flavor to the cookie or the icing.
  • Add a chocolate twist. Trymelted chocolateor white chocolate and dip the bottoms or sides of the cookies. You could even drizzle the chocolate on top for a pretty presentation.
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Proper Storage

  • Room temperature. Once the glaze has hardened, you can stack your spritz cookies in an airtight container. Store for up to 5 days at room temperature.
  • Freeze. You can also freeze these spritz cookies for up to a month. Just bake, let cool, and transfer to an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy!

More Christmas Cookie Ideas

  • 3 Ingredient Shortbread
  • Double Chocolate Mocha Cookies
  • Salted Caramel Pinwheel Cookies

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    The BEST Spritz Cookie Recipe (7)

    Perfect Spritz Cookies

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 25 reviews

    • Author: Shelly
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 6 minutes
    • Total Time: 16 minutes
    • Yield: 72 cookies 1x
    • Category: Cookies
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: Dessert

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    Description

    Buttery and festive, these Spritz Cookies are ready in just 20 minutes with a handful of pantry staples. A nostalgic classic cookie that’s a must-bake for every holiday cookie tray.

    Ingredients

    Scale

    • 1 cupbutter, room temperature
    • 1 1/2 cupspowdered sugar
    • 1egg
    • 1 teaspoonalmond extract (or vanilla if you prefer)
    • 1/2 teaspoonkosher salt
    • 2 1/2 cupsall purpose flour

    Icing

    • 1 cuppowdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoonmilk
    • 1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract, if desired
    • sprinkles to decorate

    Instructions

    1. Cookies: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paperand set aside.
    2. In the bowl of yourstand mixerfitted with thepaddle attachment, mix the butter and powdered sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until combined.
    3. Add in the egg, almond extract, and salt and mix for an additional minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
    4. Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just incorporated.
    5. Place about 1 cup of dough (depending on the size of your press) into the cookie press. Press cookies onto the baking sheet using the press. Arrange the cookies about 1 inch apart and bake for 6-7 minutes or until lightly golden at the edges.
    6. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
    7. Icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the tops of each cookie into the glaze. Sprinkle if desired. Allow the cookies to set completely before storing.

    Notes

    • Store airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days for best freshness.
    • You can freeze these cookies in a large, zip-top bag for up to a month. I don’t recommend freezing them if you have used glaze, as they become sticky as the glaze thaws. Glaze them when they’re at room temperature and allow to set.
    • I like to use 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. The combination is subtle and my personal favorite!

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    FAQs

    What is the secret to making spritz cookies? ›

    Tips To Make the Best Spritz Cookies
    1. Cream Butter and Sugar. Be sure you cream butter and sugar well...it might take longer than you think! ...
    2. Add Your Egg. Add your egg ONLY after butter and sugar is fully creamed together.
    3. Avoid Overworking. ...
    4. Press! ...
    5. Skip the Grease. ...
    6. Decorate. ...
    7. Bake.

    What is the difference between a spritz cookie and a butter cookie? ›

    What is the difference between spritz and butter cookies? These cookies are nearly identical, except for one ingredient: egg. Egg makes the Spritz cookie dough a bit easier to work with, but it also helps the cookies keep their shape when baked.

    What is the secret to a perfect cookie? ›

    The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
    • Always use butter.
    • Choose the right sugar.
    • Choose the right flour.
    • Check your flour is in date.
    • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
    • Cream the butter and sugar.
    • Beat in the eggs.
    • Fold in the flour.

    Should spritz cookie dough be sticky? ›

    *Perfect spritz dough has a soft malleable texture that is not too sticky or stiff. Creamed butter and sugar is the foundation of great spritz cookies.

    Why won't my spritz cookies come out of the press? ›

    If the dough is sticking to the bottom of the press instead of adhering to the pan, it might be too soft. Place it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 minutes and try again. Butter is highly recommended when making Spritz cookie dough.

    Should spritz cookies be baked on parchment paper? ›

    Tip: Be sure to press your spritz cookies onto unlined, regular (not nonstick) baking sheets. Parchment paper and nonstick coatings cause the cookies to spread as they bake.

    Why are my spritz cookies tough? ›

    Simply adding the flour to the stand mixer and beating it in runs the risk of overdeveloping gluten and giving you a tough or dense cookie (not what you want after all that work with the creaming). Instead, the best method is to add the flour and mix it in by hand, stopping as soon as no dry flour remains.

    Why are my spritz cookies spreading? ›

    Warm Cookie Sheets

    If you're batch baking your cookies, make sure you're placing cookie dough on cooled cookie sheets. If the cookie sheets are too warm, they can cause the cookies to spread.

    Why are my spritz cookies so flat? ›

    The Problem: The Butter Is Too Soft

    Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

    Why do my spritz cookies taste like flour? ›

    Improper flour measurement is the #1 cause of your cookie dough being too dry or the cookies tasting like flour.

    Why are my spritz cookies flat? ›

    Why are my cookies flat?
    • Mistake 1: The butter is too soft. ...
    • Mistake 2: You used the wrong fat. ...
    • Mistake 3: There's too much sugar or not enough flour. ...
    • Mistake 4: Your baking sheets are over-greased. ...
    • Mistake 5: You're skimping on mix-ins. ...
    • Choose the right cookie recipe. ...
    • Prepare the dough properly. ...
    • Check your oven.
    Dec 9, 2020

    What is the best oven setting for baking cookies? ›

    Cookie temperatures fluctuate, with some recipes as low as 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and a few as high as 425 degrees Fahrenheit, but most recipes land on 375 or 350 to evenly bake the entirety of the cookie.

    How long to chill cookie dough before baking? ›

    Scooping then chilling your cookie dough for at least. 2 hours before baking. As you can see, this primarily affects spread and height, both of which significantly contribute to texture.

    Should you use parchment paper when baking spritz cookies? ›

    Do not use parchment paper or a Silpat mat. The dough will not stick when pressed. Light colored baking sheets produce lighter colored cookie. Dark pans promote browning.

    Should I use parchment paper for spritz cookies? ›

    Don't use parchment paper or non-stick cookie sheets for spritz cookies. This dough needs something it can stick to a little in order to come off the press. The cookies have so much butter in them, I've never had a problem with them sticking to a regular cookie sheet when they bake.

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