Description
These Perfect Spritz Cookies are buttery, tender, and delightfully crisp with a smooth almond or vanilla flavor. Made with a simple dough pressed through a cookie press, they bake quickly to a light golden edge and can be iced with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. Ideal for holidays or any occasion when you want a classic, charming cookie that pairs wonderfully with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla if preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract, if desired
- Sprinkles to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter with 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar on medium speed for 1 minute until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
- Add Egg and Flavorings: Incorporate the egg, almond extract, and kosher salt into the butter-sugar mixture. Continue mixing for another minute, scraping down the bowl sides as needed for even incorporation.
- Mix in Flour: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour. Mix just until the flour is incorporated and the dough comes together without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Form Cookies Using Cookie Press: Fill your cookie press with about 1 cup of dough, depending on press size. Press the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies approximately 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6 to 7 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain pale.
- Cool Cookies: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing to prevent melting the icing.
- Prepare Icing: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the icing, then decorate immediately with sprinkles if desired. Allow the icing to set completely before storing.
Notes
- Store cookies airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- These cookies can be frozen in a large zip-top bag for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing glazed cookies as the icing may become sticky when thawed; glaze cookies at room temperature instead.
- For a subtle flavor, use a combination of 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in the dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
