If you’re someone who loves classic holiday treats or just crave buttery, delicate cookies that practically melt in your mouth, you’re going to adore this Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies are not only delicious but also super fun to make — especially when you add those charming decorative touches that transform them from simple cookies into festive little works of art. Stick with me, and I’ll share everything you need to know, plus tips that make the whole process a breeze!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: The dough comes together quickly and presses out perfectly every time, even if you’re new to spritz cookies.
- Customizable Decorations: You can dress these up with sprinkles, colored sugar, or melted chocolate — whatever your heart desires.
- Perfect Texture: These cookies puff just right without spreading, giving you that classic spritz shape and a soft, tender bite.
- Generous Yield: Makes a huge batch so you’ll have tons to share (or save for yourself, no judgment!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe’s ingredients are simple, staple pantry items that come together beautifully to give you that classic spritz cookie flavor. Each element plays a role in making the dough easy to press and the cookies buttery and flavorful. For best results, use fresh ingredients and don’t skip the salt—it balances out the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened at room temperature for smooth creaming with sugar.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is best to create that slight crunch on the outside without overpowering sweetness.
- Egg: Adds structure and richness to your cookies.
- Milk: Just a bit to keep the dough soft and pressable.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Use real vanilla for the best, warmest flavor.
- Almond or Peppermint Extract: Totally optional but adds a lovely hint of festive flavor if you want to mix it up.
- Fine Sea Salt: Key to rounding out the flavor in your dough.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best here; be sure to measure properly to avoid dry or crumbly dough.
- Optional Decorations: Sprinkles, colored sanding sugar, melted chocolate, or food coloring for vibrant or thematic cookies.
Variations
What I love most about this Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to change up the flavors or try different decorations, it’s such a fun canvas to get creative with — and I encourage you to make it your own!
- Flavored Extracts: I once swapped out vanilla for peppermint extract during the holidays, and my family went crazy for the refreshing twist. Almond extract is equally great for a nutty undertone.
- Food Coloring: Divide the dough into smaller batches and add drops of food coloring for festive, multi-colored cookies — perfect for seasonal celebrations or kids’ parties.
- Decorative Toppings: Use sprinkles or sanding sugar for a quick festive touch, or dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and top with crushed nuts or candies for a grown-up treat.
- Gluten-Free Version: I haven’t tried this extensively, but some bakers have had success using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose.
How to Make Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar to Perfection
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While it’s warming up, grab the softened butter and sugar and beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is key because it gives the cookies their delicate texture. When I first tried this recipe, I rushed this part and noticed the cookies were denser. Take your time here!
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Next, beat in the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and if you’re feeling adventurous, a splash of almond or peppermint extract. These subtle flavors make a surprisingly big difference. Blend until smooth, but don’t overmix — just enough to combine everything nicely.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour and salt in a separate bowl. Then, with your mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together and looks smooth. Overmixing can toughen up your cookies, and a smooth, pliable dough is exactly what you want here.
Step 4: Press and Shape the Cookies
This is where the magic happens! Spoon some dough into your cookie press fitted with your chosen plate shape. Press the cookies out onto an ungreased baking sheet by holding the press flat and clicking the handle. Lift straight up carefully—the cookie should stay on the sheet and keep its shape. Because these cookies puff but don’t spread, you can pack them fairly close together, which is a real time saver.
Step 5: Add Decorations and Bake
If you’re adding sprinkles or sanding sugar, do it right after pressing the cookies and before baking. Bake each sheet for 6 to 8 minutes until the cookies are set and the bottoms turn just barely golden. Trust me, if you wait too long, they’ll lose that beautiful tender crumb. Let them cool for a couple minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Decorate After Cooling (Optional)
If you want to get fancy with melted chocolate or candy melts, wait until the cookies are completely cool. Dip, drizzle, or spread the chocolate, then quickly sprinkle with nonpareils or crushed candy before it sets. This step is my favorite for making these cookies party-ready!
Pro Tips for Making Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe
- Butter Softening: I discovered this trick when I forgot to set butter out in advance—I gently warm cubes in a microwave at 10-second increments until just soft, never melted.
- Measuring Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your cup and level it off to avoid dense dough, which I struggled with at first.
- One Sheet at a Time: Bake one sheet while pressing cookies onto another pan—this prevents dough from warming up too much and losing shape.
- Press Lift Technique: Always lift the cookie press straight up to avoid smudging your pretty cookie shapes.
How to Serve Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe
Garnishes
I love garnishing these spritz cookies with a dash of colored sanding sugar right before baking or topping dipped chocolate cookies with festive nonpareils. It adds that extra sparkle and texture that makes everyone reach for seconds.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair incredibly well with a warm cup of coffee or tea—my go-to duo. I also like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a creamy hot chocolate for a cozy treat during the colder months.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays, I’ve arranged spritz cookies in festive patterns on platters or tied small stacks with ribbons as adorable edible gifts. Using colorful cookie press plates can also create themed shapes that make your dessert table pop!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, I store leftover spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay fresh and tender for up to a week. It’s great knowing these treats keep well so you can enjoy them over several days.
Freezing
I often freeze unbaked dough portions in small zip bags, which lets me press and bake fresh cookies on demand. The baked cookies freeze well too—just pop them in airtight containers or bags, and they keep for around 3 months without losing their charm.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers, warm cookies slightly in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes—this refreshes their soft texture without drying them out. Avoid the microwave as it can make them rubbery or tough.
FAQs
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Can I use margarine instead of butter in the Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe?
Butter is preferred in this recipe for its flavor and texture, but if you must substitute, margarine can work in a pinch. Just be aware that the cookies might be a bit less rich and could spread more due to different fat content.
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Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?
For dairy-free, try using a plant-based butter substitute and non-dairy milk. Vegan versions are trickier because the egg helps with cookie structure, but flaxseed or chia egg replacements might work with some experimentation.
- Why did my spritz cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if the dough is too warm or if you accidentally added too much butter or flour. Make sure to chill your dough if your kitchen is warm, and be precise with measurements.
- How can I prevent the cookies from sticking to the press?
Use a light dusting of flour on the cookie press before loading it with dough, and always lift the press straight up to keep your shapes intact. Keeping the dough cool also helps reduce sticking.
- Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Absolutely! I like dividing the dough into smaller portions and mixing in a drop or two of food coloring to make several vibrant colors. Just be careful not to add too much liquid in the form of food coloring gel to avoid softening the dough too much.
Final Thoughts
This Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s one of those comfort baking projects that feel like a warm hug, especially during the holidays or when you just want to treat yourself. The process is fun, the cookies always turn out beautifully, and decorating them adds a little creative spark that’s so rewarding. You’ll enjoy how approachable this recipe is, and I promise it’ll become one of your go-to shows for easy, impressive cookies. So grab your cookie press, grab some butter, and make a batch — your kitchen (and your loved ones!) will thank you.
Print
Spritz Cookies Recipe with Decorative Tips Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 120 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Spritz Cookies made with a buttery, tender dough that is pressed into charming shapes using a cookie press. These buttery cookies have subtle vanilla and almond or peppermint extract flavors, perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a delightful treat. Easily decorated with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or dipped in melted chocolate for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract or peppermint extract (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 cups flour
Optional Decorations
- Sprinkles or nonpareils
- Colored sanding sugar
- Melted chocolate almond bark or candy melts
- Food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake your cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and if using, almond or peppermint extract. Beat the mixture well to combine all the wet ingredients evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and sea salt. Gradually add this flour mixture to the butter mixture with the mixer on low speed. Mix just until the flour is fully incorporated and a smooth dough forms.
- Form Cookies with Press: Fill your cookie press with dough and press shapes onto an ungreased baking sheet. Press the handle and lift straight up to release each cookie. Cookies can be placed close together as they will puff but not spread during baking.
- Refill and Repeat: Refill the cookie press as needed, continuing to press shapes onto the baking sheet until it is full.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 6 to 8 minutes until they are set and the bottoms are just turning a light golden color.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 to 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- If using food coloring, add 1-2 drops to the entire dough batch or divide into smaller portions to create various colors by adding a small drop to each.
- For decorations like sprinkles or colored sanding sugar, add before baking for best results.
- If dipping cookies in melted chocolate or candy melts, do so only after the cookies are completely cooled. Top with sprinkles before the chocolate sets for extra decoration.
- Bake one sheet at a time and press cookies for the next batch while the current sheet bakes to improve workflow.
- Ensure sheet pans are completely cool before pressing dough onto them again to prevent sticking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.
- Properly measure flour for consistent results and follow tips for softening butter if you forgot to leave it out ahead of time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4.2g
- Sodium: 28mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7.5g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
