Jolly Festive Spritz Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Festive spritz cookies shine as delightful, buttery treats that capture the magic of holiday baking.

Small, delicate circles pressed through a classic cookie gun create intricate designs that sparkle with seasonal charm.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies melt beautifully in your mouth.

Bakers love how quickly these delicate morsels come together with simple pantry ingredients.

Decorative and precise, these cookies add an elegant touch to any dessert spread.

Colorful sugars or gentle sprinkles can convert these delicate bites into stunning edible art.

The recipe promises a joyful baking experience that brings warmth and sweetness to your kitchen.

You can want to share these irresistible little wonders with everyone you know.

How Festive Spritz Cookies Bring Joy

• Transform simple cookie dough into vibrant, festive treats that burst with personality and holiday cheer through easy food coloring techniques.
• Use a cookie press to quickly shape perfect, uniform cookies without complex rolling or cutting, making the baking process smooth and enjoyable for all skill levels.
• Adapt these spritz cookies with different colors, extracts, and decorations to match any holiday or special occasion, from Christmas to birthdays with minimal effort.
• Engage children in a fun, low-mess baking experience that takes less than an hour from start to finish, creating delightful memories and delicious results everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients for Festive Spritz Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. European-style or high-fat butter works best for more intense taste.
• Vegetable Shortening: Helps achieve a crisp, sturdy cookie shape that holds intricate spritz designs.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie texture. Fine-ground sugar blends more smoothly.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional for dusting or creating a delicate finish on cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic flavor to the cookies. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, nutty background note. Use sparingly for a delicate flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the cookie. Sifted flour prevents lumps and ensures smooth dough.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie texture.
• Food Coloring: Optional for creating festive, vibrant cookie colors. Gel colors provide more intense hues without changing dough consistency.

How to Pipe and Bake Spritz Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Kitchen

Get ready for a delightful baking adventure! Turn your oven to a cozy 350°F (180°C). Grab your baking sheets and line them with silicone mats – these are your secret weapon for perfect cookie magic.

Step 2: Whip Up The Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Blend these ingredients until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that looks absolutely dreamy. This should take about 3-4 minutes of mixing magic.

Step 3: Add Some Liquid Excitement

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Stir until everything looks smooth and harmonious.

Step 4: Create The Cookie Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Salt

Gently fold these into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to ensure everything blends perfectly without overworking the dough.

Step 5: Play With Color

Want some visual excitement? Divide your dough into sections. Knead gel food coloring into each portion until you achieve your desired vibrant hues. Let your creativity shine!

Step 6: Shape Your Cookies

Load your cookie press with dough. Press out beautiful shapes onto the prepared baking sheets. Keep the cookies close together – they won’t spread much during baking.

Step 7: Add Sparkle And Shine

Sprinkle some festive decorations over your cookie shapes if you’re feeling extra celebratory. Colorful sprinkles can transform ordinary cookies into party superstars!

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide your baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 5-8 minutes. Want softer cookies? Aim for the shorter time. Crisp cookie lovers, go for the full 8 minutes.

Step 9: Cool And Store

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 4-5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, store in an airtight container to keep them fresh and delicious.

Secrets to Perfect Spritz Cookies

• Chill Butter Strategically: Let butter soften at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy texture without melting completely.
• Master the Cookie Press: Refrigerate the cookie press and use smooth, steady pressure when pressing dough to create uniform, beautiful spritz cookies every time.
• Control Color Carefully: Add gel food coloring sparingly, mixing thoroughly to create vibrant, even-toned dough without changing the cookie's delicate texture.
• Select Smart Decorations: Choose lightweight sprinkles and decorations that won't weigh down the delicate cookie shape, ensuring crisp, defined edges.
• Store with Precision: Layer cooled cookies between parchment paper in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for up to a week at room temperature.

Saving and Reheating Spritz Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
• Freeze: Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, layered between wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their crisp texture and fresh-baked warmth.

Drinks and Treats That Pair with Spritz

• Pair with Festive Champagne Cocktail: Elevate these delicate spritz cookies with a light, bubbly champagne cocktail infused with a hint of vanilla or almond liqueur, matching the cookie's extract flavors.
• Complement with Vanilla Chai Latte: The warm, spicy notes of a chai latte beautifully balance the buttery, delicate texture of the spritz cookies, creating a cozy and indulgent treat.
• Match with Creamy Eggnog: During holiday seasons, serve these cookies alongside a rich, velvety eggnog that echoes the cookie's sweet and nostalgic flavor profile, enhancing the festive experience.
• Serve with Sparkling White Wine: A crisp, light white wine like Prosecco or Champagne provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery cookies, cleansing the palate between bites.

Holiday-Themed Versions of Spritz Cookies

• Holiday Spice Sprinkle Cookies: Add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to the dough for a cozy winter flavor profile that complements the classic spritz texture.
• Citrus Zest Crisp Cookies: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough to create a bright, refreshing version that adds a tangy kick to the traditional recipe.
• Chocolate-Dipped Spritz Cookies: After cooling, partially dip each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed nuts or festive sprinkles for an elegant touch.
• Lavender Shortbread Spritz: Mix dried culinary lavender into the dough for a subtle, sophisticated flavor that transforms the classic cookie into a gourmet treat.

Answers to Spritz Cookie Queries

• What type of press works best for spritz cookies?

A cookie press with different disc shapes is ideal. Metal presses work more consistently than plastic ones, giving clean and precise cookie shapes.

• Can I make these cookies without a cookie press?

Unfortunately, spritz cookies require a cookie press to achieve their signature thin, decorative shapes. Without one, the recipe won’t produce the traditional spritz cookie texture.

• How long do these cookies stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, spritz cookies will remain fresh and crisp for about 7-10 days. For best taste and texture, keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

• Can I freeze spritz cookie dough?

Yes, you can! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using the cookie press. Just ensure the dough is at a workable temperature for pressing.

Festive Spritz Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Magical holiday spritz cookies bring pure joy to festive celebrations with their delicate, buttery charm. Crisp, golden edges and delightful shapes invite you to savor classic Christmas cheer in each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (224 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 ¼ cups (293 g / 10.4 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (155 g / 5.5 ounces) granulated sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Decorative Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• Red gel icing color, optional
• Green gel icing color, optional
• Sprinkles for decorating

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Instructions

1. Transform your kitchen into a festive cookie workshop by positioning an oven rack in the middle and heating to 350°F. Arrange silicone baking mats across sturdy sheet trays, creating a perfect landing zone for delicate spritz cookies.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes cloud-like and voluminous, developing a pale, creamy texture that signals optimal incorporation.
3. Introduce a single egg into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly. Follow with vanilla and almond extracts, stirring until the liquid elements merge seamlessly into a uniform consistency.
4. Sift flour and salt gradually into the wet ingredients, folding with gentle motions. Mix until a cohesive dough forms, being cautious not to overwork the delicate mixture.
5. For vibrant presentation, partition the dough into separate sections. Gently massage gel food coloring through each portion, creating soft, even hues without compromising the dough’s tender structure.
6. Load a cookie press with dough, selecting decorative discs to create intricate shapes. Press cookies directly onto prepared baking surfaces, positioning them with minimal spacing since they maintain their precise geometric design.
7. Embellish uncooked cookies with festive sprinkles, allowing them to nestle lightly onto the dough’s surface before baking.
8. Slide trays into the preheated oven, monitoring closely. Bake for 6-7 minutes until edges display a gentle golden hint, indicating perfect doneness without excessive browning.
9. Remove cookies and allow them to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, enabling slight firming. Transfer to wire cooling racks, letting them reach room temperature before arranging in an airtight container for preservation.

Notes

• Chill butter briefly before creaming to achieve the perfect soft but not melted consistency for smooth cookie texture.
• Use room temperature egg to ensure even blending and prevent potential cookie dough separation during mixing.
• Select gel food coloring for vibrant, concentrated colors without altering dough consistency or adding extra liquid.
• Press cookie dough into spritz machine or cookie press when it’s cool and firm for clean, precise cookie shapes.
• Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire rack to prevent breaking delicate edges.
• Store decorated spritz cookies in single layers between parchment paper to maintain intricate design and prevent crushing.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 95
• Sugar: 3.2g
• Sodium: 0.1mg
• Fat: 5.3g
• Saturated Fat: 3.4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 11.5g
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 12mg