Spritz Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Spritz cookies are buttery, delicate treats that are perfect for any festive occasion or an everyday sweet snack. These classic pressed cookies are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite colors and designs.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
2. Step 2: Thoroughly cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed ingredients, mixing until it forms a smooth dough. Do not chill the dough.
5. Step 5: If desired, add food coloring to the dough and mix until evenly colored.
6. Step 6: Place the dough into a cookie press and press the cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet in your preferred shapes.
7. Step 7: Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a zestier flavor, try adding a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough.
• If you prefer a softer cookie, reduce baking time by a minute or bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit instead.
• Sprinkles can be added right after pressing the cookies on the sheet for extra decoration.
• Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or coconut to create unique flavors.

Storage

Store the spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to three months. To reheat, allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving; they are best enjoyed without reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

It is best not to chill the dough as it can harden and make pressing difficult. However, you can prepare the dough and press the cookies onto sheets, then refrigerate the unbaked cookies for a short time before baking if needed.

What if I don’t have a cookie press?

You can shape the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly with a fork or the bottom of a glass. While the classic shapes may be missing, the flavor will still be delicious.

Spritz Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 51 reviews

Spritz Cookies are classic buttery and tender pressed cookies that are perfect for festive occasions and everyday treats. These cookies are quick to prepare, featuring a delicate almond and vanilla flavor with a crisp, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using a cookie press, the dough is formed into beautiful intricate shapes and baked to golden perfection in just minutes.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
• Total Time: 21-23 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 5 dozen cookies (depending on size) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Wet Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks), softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Food coloring (optional, as desired)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and allow it to fully preheat while you prepare the dough for even baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a tender texture.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined and smooth to distribute flavors evenly throughout the dough.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder to ensure they are evenly mixed.
5. Mix Ingredients to Form Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender cookies.
6. Add Food Coloring: If desired, knead in food coloring to achieve your preferred hues evenly distributed in the dough.
7. Shape Cookies: Place the colored dough into a cookie press. Press shapes directly onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for slight spreading.
8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until cookies are just beginning to turn golden around the edges. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft inside.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Do not chill the dough; it should be soft enough to press easily.
• Use different cookie press discs for a variety of shapes and patterns.
• For a stronger almond flavor, increase almond extract slightly but avoid overpowering the vanilla.
• To store, keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• These cookies freeze well; freeze unbaked shapes on a tray, then transfer to a bag; bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to baking time.

Keywords: Spritz cookies, holiday cookies, almond cookies, pressed cookies, buttery cookies, vanilla cookies, festive cookies