Spritz Cookies are delicate butter cookies traditionally made using a cookie press to create beautiful shapes. They’re crisp at the edges, soft inside, lightly sweet, and visually stunning—perfect for holiday cookie trays, gifts, and festive dessert tables.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love these Spritz Cookies because they’re incredibly easy, require only a handful of ingredients, and bake into gorgeous cookie-press shapes that look bakery-quality. The dough comes together quickly, presses smoothly, and holds its shape in the oven. These cookies are perfect for Christmas, parties, cookie exchanges, or anytime you want an elegant and classic treat.

Spritz Cookies

Spritz Cookies are a timeless holiday classic known for their delicate texture and beautiful shapes. Traditionally made with a cookie press, these cookies have been part of holiday celebrations for generations, especially in Scandinavian and European households. Their melt-in-your-mouth tenderness makes them unforgettable.

The beauty of Spritz Cookies lies in their simplicity. They use basic ingredients—butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla—yet the flavor is rich and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness. This simplicity also makes them incredibly versatile and easy to customize with extracts, colors, and decorations.

The dough is designed specifically to be soft enough to press but firm enough to hold its shape in the oven. This creates sharp, defined designs that make the cookies visually appealing. Whether you choose snowflakes, wreaths, flowers, or stars, every cookie looks festive.

Because the recipe requires no chilling, this is one of the quickest holiday cookies you can make. As soon as the dough is mixed, it’s ready to load into the cookie press. This makes Spritz Cookies ideal for holiday bake-a-thons or last-minute dessert needs.

These cookies bake very quickly, usually within 10 minutes, which means you can turn out several batches in a short amount of time. This efficiency makes them perfect for gift tins and cookie exchanges, where dozens of cookies are needed.

Spritz Cookies also pair well with other holiday treats. Their mild flavor complements richer desserts, while their elegant appearance enhances any cookie platter. Their crisp edges and soft interior make them enjoyable for all ages.

The cookie press adds a fun and interactive element, especially for families. Kids love selecting disk designs and watching dough transform into perfect shapes. It’s a great way to create warm holiday memories while baking together.

Another reason these cookies remain popular is their long shelf life. When stored properly, they retain their freshness and texture for several days, making them ideal for shipping in care packages or preparing ahead for gatherings.

Customization options are endless. You can add almond extract, dip them in chocolate, drizzle icing, or top them with festive sprinkles before baking. Each variation adds personality while keeping the classic Spritz Cookie charm intact.

If you’re looking to build or continue a holiday baking tradition, Spritz Cookies are a staple worth keeping. They’re simple, delicious, beautiful, and deeply nostalgic—everything a great Christmas cookie should be.

Servings & Time

Servings: ~36 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9–11 minutes
Total Time: 20–25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup white sugar

• 2 egg yolks

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.

3. Add egg yolks and vanilla; mix well.

4. Beat in flour and baking powder until dough forms; use hands if needed to bring it together.

5. Load dough into a cookie press.

6. Press spritz-shaped cookies directly onto the prepared baking sheets.

7. Bake for 9–11 minutes or until lightly browned.

8. Cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes.

9. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a classic European flavor.

• Add gel food coloring to tint dough for holiday themes.

• Use salted butter and omit additional salt if preferred.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

• Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.

• Do not chill dough—it won’t press properly.

Serving Variations

• Add sprinkles before baking for festive decoration.

• Drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate.

• Sandwich two cookies with buttercream for a cute variation.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Don’t use warm baking sheets; cookies won’t stick while pressing.

• Don’t overbake—Spritz Cookies should only be lightly golden.

• Avoid chilling or over-flouring the dough; it will crumble in the press.