Best Spritz Cookie Recipe

If you have been searching for a delightful yet simple holiday treat that never fails to impress, look no further than the Best Spritz Cookie Recipe. This classic buttery cookie, delicately pressed into charming shapes and adorned with festive colors or glazes, is one of those timeless recipes that bring out joy in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a sweet escape, these spritz cookies deliver that perfect balance of crisp edges and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that rounds out every celebration beautifully.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is half the joy in baking the Best Spritz Cookie Recipe. These components are straightforward yet crucial, each contributing to the cookie’s fantastic texture, flavor, and appearance.

• 1 cup butter (salted, 2 sticks): Using salted butter adds depth and a subtle savory balance to your cookies.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: This provides sweetness and helps achieve that lovely tender bite.
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
• 1 large egg: Binds the dough and adds moisture for perfect structure.
• 1 teaspoon almond extract: Adds a wonderfully subtle nutty aroma that’s signature to spritz cookies.
• Gel food coloring: Lets you customize colors for festive, fun-looking cookies.
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the essential base for tenderness and shape.
• Colored sugar or sprinkles (optional): Perfect for adding sparkle and festive flair.
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze): Sweetens and smooths out the final finishing touch.
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional): Gives the glaze a lovely sheen and slight stickiness.
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (for glaze): Carries the flavor through the glaze for consistency.
• 1–3 tablespoons milk: Adjusts glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.

How to Make Best Spritz Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure your spritz cookies keep their perfect shape and don’t brown too quickly, place two light-colored baking sheets into the fridge or freezer if you have space. This chill step helps the dough hold its form during baking and maintains those crisp edges we all adore.

Step 2: Cream the Butter

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the cold butter until it’s completely smooth and lump-free. If you’re using a hand mixer, allow the butter to soften slightly at room temperature beforehand. Scraping down the sides halfway through ensures all the butter is evenly aerated for that fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 3: Add Sugar and Salt

Next, add the granulated sugar and kosher salt (reduce slightly if using table salt) to your whipped butter. Beat this mixture for 1 to 2 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This step is key to creating tender cookies with a delicate crumb.

Step 4: Incorporate Egg and Almond Extract

Add the large egg and almond extract to the mixture and beat until just combined. The almond extract provides a classic nutty flavor that makes these cookies instantly recognizable and delicious.

Step 5: Color Your Dough

If you want colorful spritz cookies, add gel food coloring now. Go a bit deeper with the color than you want the final cookie to be since the dough lightens once flour is added and after baking. Gel food coloring intensifies over time, so a little goes a long way.

Step 6: Add Flour

Spoon and level 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour into your bowl. Beat just until the flour disappears—don’t overmix or your cookies will be tough instead of tender. Scrape the bowl as needed to bring all the flour in evenly.

Step 7: Prepare the Cookie Press

Set up your cookie press according to its instructions. Select the metal disc with your desired shape, shape the dough into a cylinder, and feed it into the press. Screw in the top so the dough is ready to be pressed out onto your chilled baking sheets.

Step 8: Press the Cookies

Press the dough onto the chilled baking sheets, placing cookies as close as the cookie press edge allows. These cookies barely spread, so you can maximize pan space. For beautifully defined cookies, try to release just enough dough to hold the shape without puffing too much during baking.

Step 9: Add Sugar or Sprinkles (Optional)

If you’d like to add colored sanding sugar for extra sparkle, sprinkle it on before baking. However, be mindful that it can often pool at the edges, altering the look slightly.

Step 10: Bake Your Cookies

Bake for about 6 minutes at 375°F. Delicate shapes may only need 5 minutes, while larger ones might require up to 7 minutes. Remove as soon as the edges look set and are no longer shiny—your spritz cookies should not brown! This is the hallmark of perfectly baked spritz.

Step 11: Cool Completely

Let the cookies rest on the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool fully before glazing or storing.

Step 12: Glaze Your Cookies (Optional)

For an extra special finishing touch, whisk together powdered sugar, corn syrup, almond extract, and milk to create a thin, shiny glaze. Adjust the milk to get the perfect drizzle consistency. Once the cookies are cool, brush the glaze over each and sprinkle with colored sugar or festive sprinkles. Let them set completely before enjoying.

How to Serve Best Spritz Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

A simple dusting of colored sanding sugar or pastel sprinkles transforms these cookies into eye-catching treats perfect for any occasion. The glaze adds shine and a subtle sweetness that compliments the almond flavor exquisitely.

Side Dishes

Best enjoyed with a warm cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee, these spritz cookies make charming accompaniments to holiday gatherings or afternoon snack times. Their buttery crunch pairs well with rich, creamy beverages.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange spritz cookies on a decorative platter layered with festive napkins for an inviting holiday display. Tie small stacks with ribbons to create charming edible gifts for friends and family. You can even use assorted cookie press shapes and colors to create themed cookie collections that are both fun and festive!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your spritz cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly covered, they maintain their tender crispness for up to 5 days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat.

Freezing

Spritz cookies freeze exceptionally well and can be stored in sealed containers or freezer bags. Freeze them plain to enjoy later or freeze glazed cookies on parchment-lined trays, then transfer to containers once set. When ready, thaw at room temperature while still sealed to retain freshness.

Reheating

Spritz cookies are best eaten at room temperature. If you prefer a slight warmth, gently heat them in a low oven (about 275°F) for a few minutes, but be careful not to brown them. Warmed spritz cookies paired with hot chocolate are a cozy, irresistible combination.

FAQs

What makes this the Best Spritz Cookie Recipe?

This recipe strikes the perfect balance of buttery flavor, delicate crumb, and beautifully defined shapes. The careful mixing technique and chilling the baking sheets ensure crisp edges without any browning, hallmark qualities superstar spritz cookies must have.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Just remember to soften the butter a bit for easier creaming and scrape the bowl often to ensure even mixing. The end result will be just as delicious.

Is almond extract necessary?

While optional, almond extract is traditional and adds a distinctive, delightful aroma and flavor that elevates the cookies beyond basic butter cookies.

Can I make these cookies without a cookie press?

Spritz cookies are designed for a cookie press to achieve their classic shapes, but you could also pipe the dough through a pastry bag with decorative tips. The delicate shapes and even thickness are key to their classic look and texture.

How long do spritz cookies keep their freshness?

Stored properly in an airtight container, spritz cookies stay fresh and delightful for 3 to 5 days, making them perfect for holiday baking well in advance.

Final Thoughts

There really is something magical about the Best Spritz Cookie Recipe that captures the spirit of cozy kitchens and festive celebrations. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these charming cookies as much as I do—they’re a buttery, almond-scented joy that’s worth every delightful bite. So grab your cookie press and get ready to bake some cheer for your next special occasion!

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