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.

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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 trick to using a 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.

    What is the secret to a good 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.

    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 consistency should spritz cookie dough be? ›

    *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.

    Should spritz cookies be baked on parchment paper? ›

    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.

    Why won't my Spritz cookie dough stick to the pan? ›

    Make sure your egg is at room temperature. DO NOT refrigerate the dough before pressing. Make sure the dough is warm, not cold. If it's not tacky, it will not stick to the pan.

    What is the secret to moist cookies? ›

    Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

    What makes a cookie the best? ›

    The best cookies have layers of texture. A slightly crisp outer shell that holds up to some heat with an inner core that's soft and chewy. Premium cookies taste great at room temperature, straight out of the fridge or slightly heated. Creating cookies in small batches is key.

    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 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 did my spritz cookies go flat? ›

    If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure. Therefore, as the butter spreads so does the whole liquidy cookie.

    Is there a trick to making spritz cookies? ›

    Helpful Hints and Tips for Perfect Spritz Cookies:

    Do not chill the dough before using. The dough should be at room temperature so it can be piped through the press. If your cookies start to spread or your kitchen is warm, try chilling the pans in the refrigerator for a few minutes before piping the cookies on the pan.

    Why won t my spritz cookies come out? ›

    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.

    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.

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

    Fill cookie press with dough and with desired disks, press cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.

    Why did my Spritz cookies go flat? ›

    If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure. Therefore, as the butter spreads so does the whole liquidy cookie.

    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.

    Can you use regular cookie dough in a cookie press? ›

    More flour, not less, will help with sticky dough. You cannot use any dough in a press—if you can actually get it to press, most cookie doughs will not hold the spritz shape when baked. The key here is the butter and flour.

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