If you’re looking to fill your home with the warm, joyful spirit of the holidays, this Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These tender, buttery cookies shaped with a cookie press bring an old-fashioned charm to your Christmas cookie platter, and the touch of vibrant green hues combined with festive sprinkles makes them as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a holiday cookie rookie, these cookies promise an inviting combination of delicate sweetness and crisp edges that feel like a warm hug in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients are the heart of this Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe. Each one plays a key role, from the rich butter creating the perfect tender crumb to the dual extracts giving that irresistible aromatic lift. Keep these staples in your pantry, and you’re just moments away from holiday baking bliss.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides the creamy base and rich flavor essential for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar: Gives sweetness and a fine texture, ensuring the dough crests beautifully when pressed.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the cookie.
- 1 egg: Adds moisture and helps bind the dough together for a perfect pressable consistency.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Brings warm, classic undertones with every bite.
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty aroma that sets these cookies apart.
- 2 1/2 cups flour: The structure of your cookie, ensuring they hold their charming shapes when pressed.
- Leaf green and forest green gel food coloring: Creates vibrant, festive tones that brighten up your holiday treats.
- Christmas sprinkles: Adds colorful, crunchy decoration that makes the cookies pop and feel extra festive.
- 1 cookie press: The magic tool that transforms dough into delightful, uniform shapes effortlessly.
How to Make Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the perfect temperature for baking spritz cookies that are crisp on the edges but tender inside. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large bowl or a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and kosher salt until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is the foundation for the airy texture that will make your spritz cookies absolutely irresistible.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined. These ingredients add moisture and build the complex flavor profile that makes this Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe so special.
Step 4: Incorporate the Flour
Gradually add the flour and beat just until the mixture is combined. You want a smooth, pressable dough that holds its shape without being tough or crumbly.
Step 5: Divide and Color the Dough
Split the dough evenly into three bowls. Leave one portion plain, mix a few drops of leaf green gel food coloring into the second, and add forest green gel coloring to the third. This step makes your cookie platter festive and full of Christmas spirit.
Step 6: Shape and Decorate
If you’re new to using a cookie press, take a moment to read the instructions on the back of the box so you get familiar with your tool. Press your dough onto the lined cookie sheets, forming your favorite shapes. Before baking, sprinkle the cookies with your Christmas sprinkles for an added festive touch.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 8 to 12 minutes until they look set and just slightly golden on the edges. Let them cool completely on the baking sheets before removing to a wire rack or your serving plate. This ensures they keep their perfect shapes and the sprinkles stay firmly in place.
How to Serve Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the cookies are already wonderfully festive with sprinkles, you can amp up the presentation with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate for extra winter whimsy. A little edible glitter or tiny silver dragées can also make them sparkle at any holiday gathering.
Side Dishes
Pair these buttery treats with a warm cup of cocoa, spiced cider, or a classic holiday eggnog for a perfect cozy snack. They also go wonderfully alongside a cheese platter or fresh fruit to balance out their sweetness during holiday parties.
Creative Ways to Present
Package them in decorative tins lined with festive tissue paper for heartfelt gifts. You can also create a Christmas cookie board starring these vividly colored spritz cookies surrounded by other holiday favorites, making your dessert table a standout feature at any celebration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe is fully baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and tasty for up to a week, making them a great advance treat for busy holiday days.
Freezing
If you want to prep early, these cookies freeze beautifully. Arrange cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They can last up to three months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
Spritz cookies are best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature, but if you prefer them a bit warmed, pop them into an oven preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for just a few minutes. Avoid microwaving to keep the crisp edges intact.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Yes, you can use regular liquid food coloring, but gel food coloring is recommended for its vibrant color and the fact it won’t affect the dough’s consistency as much.
Is it necessary to use both vanilla and almond extracts?
The combination adds a depth of flavor that’s signature to this Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe, but if you don’t have almond extract, vanilla alone will still yield delicious results.
What if I don’t have a cookie press?
You can roll the dough out and use cookie cutters for shaped cookies, though the traditional spritz shapes come from the cookie press for that classic look.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted and don’t overwork the dough. Chilling the dough briefly can also help keep the shapes firm during baking.
Can I substitute almond extract with another flavor?
Yes, you can experiment with lemon or peppermint extract for a different twist, but it will change the distinctive flavor that makes this Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe so beloved.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe has been a favorite in many family kitchens because it’s both fun to make and absolutely delightful to eat. From the creamy dough to the vibrant color and festive sprinkles, these cookies bring classic cheer to every holiday gathering. Go ahead and bake a batch; I promise this recipe will quickly become a beloved holiday tradition in your home!
Print
Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Spritz Cookies, featuring buttery dough in vibrant green hues decorated with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these classic spritz cookies are easy to make using a cookie press and bake to golden perfection with a crisp, tender texture.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Coloring & Decorations
- Leaf green gel food coloring
- Forest green gel food coloring
- Christmas sprinkles
- 1 cookie press
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl or using a standing mixer, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, and kosher salt together until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add egg and extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until completely blended, adding flavor and helping to bind the dough.
- Incorporate flour: Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a smooth dough forms without overmixing.
- Divide the dough: Separate the dough evenly into three bowls for coloring.
- Color the dough: Add a few drops of leaf green gel food coloring to one bowl and mix well.
- Add second color: Add a few drops of forest green gel food coloring to the second bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Keep third dough plain: Leave the third bowl of dough uncolored for variety.
- Use your cookie press: Following the directions on your cookie press packaging, press the dough shapes onto the prepared cookie sheets.
- Add sprinkles: Top the pressed cookie shapes with festive Christmas sprinkles to add holiday cheer and texture.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies appear baked through.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool completely on the trays before carefully removing them to prevent breakage. Enjoy your festive treats!
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for easy creaming.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Gel food coloring is preferred to avoid altering dough consistency.
- Cookie press types and designs vary; follow your specific model’s instructions for best results.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
