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!
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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

    Should you use parchment paper when baking spritz cookies? ›

    *Don't use non-stick cookie sheets as spritz cookies need to stick to the pan! *Also don't grease the sheets or use parchment paper. Spritz cookies release easily when made right!

    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.

    What's the difference between a butter cookie and a spritz 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.

    Why are my Spritz cookies tough? ›

    Even more important than creaming is the way in which you incorporate the flour. 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).

    How do you use the perfect cookie press? ›

    If it's too cold, it'll be hard to squeeze out of the pres. If it's too warm, it'll be too soft, and it won't hold its shape when baked. Holding your hand on the tube will warm the dough, so try to use just one hand on the trigger – place your other hand on the cookie sheet to keep it from moving.

    How to tell if spritz cookies are done? ›

    Bake 10-12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet placed on the cooling rack. Remove from the baking sheet and place on the wire rack to cool completely.

    Why did my spritz cookies spread in the oven? ›

    Excess Sugar and Fat

    Measuring is key in baking. If your cookie contains excess sugar or fat, it will spread while baking. If your first batch of cookies spreads, try adding a few tablespoons of flour to help thicken the remaining dough.

    Why did my spritz cookies go flat? ›

    If you use too much butter, the cookies will end up flat and greasy. And if you use too little flour, the amount of butter and sugar will be proportionally too high, meaning the cookies will spread for the aforementioned reasons.

    How do you get spritz cookies to work? ›

    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.

    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.

    What is the best cookie sheet for spritz cookies? ›

    Insulated Cookie Sheets

    Pros: Cookie sheets are insulated to prevent the bottoms of the cookies from browning too much or too quickly and are ideal for when you're baking thin or delicate cookies, or treats should be lightly colored, such as spritz cookies and shortbread.

    What ethnicity are spritz cookies? ›

    Spritzgebäck (German: [ˈʃpʁɪt͡sɡəˌbɛk]), also called a spritz cookie in the United States, is a type biscuit or cookie of German and Alsatian-Mosellan origin made of a rich shortcrust pastry. When made correctly, the cookies are crisp, fragile, somewhat dry, and buttery.

    When making spritz cookies do you decorate before or after baking? ›

    If you decide to use icing make sure the cookies are cooled completely before decorating them and don't add any sprinkles before baking. This spritz cookies recipe bakes quickly so keep an eye on them, you don't want them to brown they should just be starting to turn ever so slightly golden at the edges.

    Do you use a cookie press before or after baking? ›

    Once the baking sheet is covered with dough, bake the cookies in the oven according to the recipe. If there's any leftover dough in the cookie press, press it out onto a second baking sheet. Take apart and clean the cookie press when you're finished using it.

    How do you get Spritz cookies to work? ›

    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.

    How do you use a cookie mold press? ›

    Press dough into the mold with fingers, working from center outward. You may lightly roll the back side of the cookie to smooth before turning out of the mold. Trim, dry and bake. To check your print, use light from the side – daylight or light from a floor lamp – so the shadows let you see if your prints are good.

    How do you get decorations to stick to Spritz cookies? ›

    Decorating spritz cookies jimmies, sugars or nonpareils.

    If you add sprinkles after baking the cookie dough your sprinkles will not stick to your cookies without using melted candy or icing. Oftentimes, shaped sprinkles will melt in the oven so sticking with jimmies, sugar and nonpareils are best.

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