These classic Spritz Cookies are buttery, delicate, lightly crisp around the edges, and wonderfully tender in the center. Made with simple pantry ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, flour, vanilla, and almond extract, these cookies are easy to make and perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or whenever you want a nostalgic homemade treat.
What makes spritz cookies especially fun is their beautiful shapes. Using a cookie press, you can create stars, flowers, trees, wreaths, and other festive designs in just minutes. Add a little food coloring or festive sprinkles, and these simple butter cookies become a gorgeous addition to any dessert table.
If you’ve never made spritz cookies before, don’t worry. This easy spritz cookie recipe comes together quickly and requires just a few basic ingredients.
What Are Spritz Cookies?
Spritz cookies are traditional pressed butter cookies made from a soft dough that is designed to be pushed through a cookie press. The word “spritz” comes from the German word spritzen, meaning “to squirt” or “to spray,” referring to the way the dough is pressed through the cookie press.
These cookies are known for their delicate texture, buttery flavor, and decorative shapes. Almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor while vanilla extract gives the cookies a classic sweetness.
They are especially popular during the Christmas season, but there’s no reason to save them only for the holidays.
Why You’ll Love This Spritz Cookie Recipe
- Easy to make: The dough requires only a handful of everyday ingredients.
- Buttery and delicate: Butter gives these cookies their rich, classic flavor.
- Beautiful shapes: A cookie press makes it easy to create festive designs.
- Perfect for holidays: They look beautiful on Christmas cookie platters.
- Customizable: Add food coloring, sprinkles, or other decorations.
- Quick baking time: Most cookies are ready in only 6–8 minutes.
Ingredients for Spritz Cookies
Butter
Use softened butter for the best results. Butter provides the rich flavor and tender texture that makes spritz cookies so delicious.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar blends easily into the dough and helps create a smooth, delicate cookie texture.
Salt
A small amount of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor.
Egg
The egg helps bind the ingredients together and gives the cookies structure.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla adds warmth and classic cookie flavor.
Almond Extract
Almond extract gives traditional spritz cookies their distinctive flavor. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount slightly.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour provides the structure needed for cookies that hold their decorative shape.
How to Make Spritz Cookies
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line your baking sheets if desired, although spritz cookie dough is traditionally pressed directly onto an ungreased baking sheet to help the dough adhere to the pan.
2. Cream the Butter, Sugar, and Salt
Place the softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important because properly creamed butter helps create a smooth cookie dough.
3. Add the Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is well combined.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary.
4. Add the Flour
Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Avoid overmixing once the flour has been incorporated. The dough should be soft enough to pass through a cookie press but firm enough to hold its shape.
5. Add Food Coloring
If you want colorful spritz cookies, divide the dough into portions and gently mix in your preferred food coloring.
You can make several colors for a festive cookie assortment.
6. Press the Cookies
Fill your cookie press with the dough and select your desired disc.
Press the dough onto a baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies if needed.
Create your favorite shapes, such as stars, flowers, wreaths, or Christmas trees.
7. Bake
Bake the cookies for 6–8 minutes, watching them closely.
The cookies should be set but should not brown. Spritz cookies are meant to stay light in color.
Allow them to cool before transferring them to a serving plate or decorating them.
Tips for Perfect Spritz Cookies
Use Properly Softened Butter
The butter should be softened enough to cream easily but should not be melted. Melted butter can make the dough too soft and affect the cookies’ ability to hold their shapes.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once the flour has been incorporated, mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can affect the delicate texture.
Don’t Add Extra Flour Unless Necessary
Spritz dough needs to be soft enough to pass through the cookie press. Adding too much flour can make the dough difficult to press and may result in dense cookies.
Don’t Chill the Dough Unless Needed
Unlike many cut-out cookies, spritz cookie dough generally needs to remain soft enough to pass through the press. Chilling the dough can make it difficult to press.
Watch the Baking Time
These cookies bake quickly. Start checking them around the 6-minute mark.
The goal is a pale, delicate cookie rather than a deeply browned one.
Let the Cookies Cool
Freshly baked spritz cookies can be delicate. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them.
Can I Make Spritz Cookies Without a Cookie Press?
A cookie press is the traditional way to make spritz cookies because it creates their recognizable decorative shapes.
If you don’t have a cookie press, you can experiment with piping the dough using a sturdy piping bag and a large decorative tip. However, the dough needs to have the right consistency for piping.
Why Is My Spritz Cookie Dough Too Hard to Press?
If your dough is difficult to press, it may be too firm. This can happen if the butter was not softened enough or if too much flour was added.
Make sure the butter is properly softened and measure your flour carefully.
Avoid adding additional flour unless absolutely necessary.
Why Are My Spritz Cookies Spreading?
Cookies can spread when the butter is too warm or the dough consistency is too soft.
Make sure you use softened—not melted—butter and measure the ingredients accurately.
Also avoid placing the dough onto a warm baking sheet.
Can I Add Sprinkles to Spritz Cookies?
Yes! Sprinkles are a simple way to make these cookies more festive.
Add sprinkles before baking so they adhere to the dough. You can also decorate cooled cookies with melted chocolate or a light glaze.
How to Store Spritz Cookies
Store completely cooled spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Place parchment or wax paper between layers if you want to help protect their decorative shapes.
Properly stored cookies can stay fresh for several days.
For longer storage, spritz cookies can also be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container.
Can You Freeze Spritz Cookies?
Yes. Baked spritz cookies freeze well.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before placing them in an airtight freezer-safe container. Separate layers with parchment paper.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, let the cookies thaw at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are spritz cookies made of?
Classic spritz cookies are made with butter, powdered sugar, salt, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and all-purpose flour.
Why are my spritz cookies not holding their shape?
The dough may be too soft, the butter may be too warm, or the flour may have been measured incorrectly. Make sure the butter is softened rather than melted and avoid adding excessive liquid.
Should spritz cookies be refrigerated before baking?
Usually, no. Spritz dough needs to be soft enough to pass through a cookie press. Chilling can make the dough difficult to press.
What temperature do you bake spritz cookies at?
This recipe uses 375°F (190°C) and a baking time of approximately 6–8 minutes.
Should spritz cookies brown?
No. For classic spritz cookies, the cookies should be set but remain light in color. Avoid overbaking.
Can I make these cookies without almond extract?
Yes. You can omit the almond extract and use additional vanilla extract if preferred. Keep in mind that almond extract provides part of the traditional spritz cookie flavor.
Classic Spritz Cookies Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 6–8 minutes
Total Time: About 25 minutes
Yield: Approximately 36–48 cookies, depending on the size and shape
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Food coloring, optional
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Gradually beat in the flour until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- If desired, divide the dough and add food coloring to create different colors.
- Fill a cookie press with the dough and press cookies onto a baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Add sprinkles if desired.
- Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until the cookies are set. Do not allow them to brown.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Once completely cool, store in an airtight container.
Final Thoughts
These easy Spritz Cookies are a classic for a reason. They’re buttery, delicate, lightly sweet, and incredibly fun to make. Whether you’re preparing a Christmas cookie platter, baking for a cookie exchange, or simply craving a homemade butter cookie, this recipe is a wonderful choice.
With a cookie press and a few simple ingredients, you can create an assortment of beautiful cookies that look as good as they taste. Try different shapes and colors to make your next batch extra festive!