Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies

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Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are the quintessential holiday treat—crisp on the outside, tender in the center, and full of nostalgic buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. These cookies are beautifully shaped using a cookie press, then decorated with vibrant icing or festive sprinkles, making them as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Their light texture and rich flavor make them a favorite at cookie exchanges, family gatherings, and cozy nights by the fireplace.

Whether you’re an experienced holiday baker or trying your hand at homemade cookies for the first time, Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies offer the perfect balance of simplicity and charm. The dough comes together quickly with pantry staples, and the decorating options are endless—from snowflakes and stars to wreaths and trees. These cookies are also a joy to make with kids, adding a little holiday magic to the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies Recipe

• Festive and Fun: These cookies bring instant cheer with their playful shapes and colorful decorations.
• Perfect Texture: Buttery, soft, and crisp in all the right places.
• Easy to Make: No rolling or cutting dough—just press and bake.
• Customizable: Add different extracts, food coloring, or sprinkles to make them your own.
• Great for Gifting: They keep well and look beautiful in holiday tins or cookie boxes.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use (Essential Tools and the Importance of Each)

Before diving into baking, having the right tools ready will make your Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies come together smoothly and efficiently. Here’s what you’ll need and why each item matters:

• Cookie Press: This is the star of the show. A cookie press allows you to form uniform, decorative shapes with ease—no rolling or cookie cutters needed.
• Electric Mixer (Hand or Stand): Creaming the butter and sugar properly is key for texture. An electric mixer ensures everything is evenly blended and whipped for a light dough.
• Mixing Bowls: Use medium to large bowls for mixing the dough and smaller ones for any icing or color mix-ins.
• Baking Sheets: Sturdy, flat sheets provide even heat distribution. Avoid insulated ones, as they may prevent proper browning.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: While traditional spritz cookies are pressed directly onto ungreased baking sheets, some prefer using mats for easy release.
• Cooling Rack: A wire rack allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents sogginess.
• Decorating Bags & Tips (optional): If you’re going beyond sprinkles, piping icing adds a personalized and professional touch.

Having all your tools within reach makes the process seamless—especially since spritz cookies are all about speed and consistency once you start pressing.

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Preparation Tips

• Use Room Temperature Butter: Soft butter is crucial for smooth blending and proper dough consistency. Too cold, and it won’t mix well; too warm, and the cookies might spread too much.
• Don’t Chill the Dough: This dough works best when fresh and soft—chilling it makes it harder to press.
• Test the Cookie Press First: Before pressing onto your baking sheet, do a few test presses onto parchment to get the feel for it.
• Stick to Unlined Baking Sheets (if Needed): For the press to grip and release the cookie shape properly, many bakers recommend pressing directly onto bare metal sheets.
• Use Consistent Pressure on the Press: Even pressure ensures all your cookies come out the same size and shape.
• Decorate Before Baking: If using colored sugar or nonpareils, sprinkle them on before baking so they stick well.

With these tips, your cookie prep will be efficient, stress-free, and ready to dazzle.

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Ingredients for This Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies Recipe

These cookies rely on a few simple ingredients that come together to create a buttery, tender bite with a hint of vanilla. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – The key to that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness.
• 1 large egg – Helps bind the dough and adds a bit of richness.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – For warm, sweet flavor. You can substitute or add almond extract for a festive twist.
• 1/4 tsp salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – Provides structure and shape to the cookies.
• Food coloring (optional) – Gel or liquid if you’d like to tint portions of the dough for a festive look.
• Sprinkles or colored sugar (optional) – For decorating before baking.
• Royal icing or buttercream (optional) – If decorating after baking.

These pantry staples combine to create a festive treat that’s perfect for holiday trays or cookie exchanges. Stick to the basics or dress them up—the choice is yours.

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Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—about 2–3 minutes. This step is key for creating a tender cookie texture.

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Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract (or almond extract if using). Beat again until everything is fully incorporated and smooth.

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Step 3: Gradually Mix in the Flour and Salt

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, beating on low speed. The dough will be thick but should remain soft and pipeable through a cookie press.

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Step 4: Load the Cookie Press

Spoon the dough into your cookie press, fitted with your desired shape disk. Press cookies directly onto an unlined, ungreased baking sheet (unless using a silicone mat, if preferred). Space them about 1 inch apart.

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Step 5: Decorate Before Baking

If using sprinkles or colored sugar, add them now while the dough is soft so they adhere during baking.

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Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Place the cookies in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Do not overbake; these cookies should remain pale and tender.

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Step 7: Cool and Decorate (Optional)

Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with royal icing or buttercream if desired for extra flair.

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Step 8: Serve or Store

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container once completely cooled. These cookies hold up beautifully and stay fresh for days.

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Notes

• Flavor Variations: Swap out the vanilla for almond, peppermint, or lemon extract to change things up. A mix of vanilla and almond gives a classic holiday taste.
• Color the Dough: Divide the dough and tint it with gel food coloring for a playful, festive batch. Red, green, and white are holiday classics.
• No Cookie Press? You can roll the dough into small balls and flatten them with a fork or glass bottom—they won’t have the traditional shapes but will still taste amazing.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overmixing the Dough: Once the flour is added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough instead of tender.
• Using Cold Dough in the Press: The dough should be soft and room temperature. If it’s too cold or firm, it won’t press easily and could damage your cookie press.
• Greasing the Baking Sheet: Spritz cookies often won’t stick enough to form properly on greased or parchment-lined sheets. Use bare metal baking sheets for the best shape retention.
• Overbaking: These cookies bake fast. If you wait until they’re golden all over, they’ll be too dry. Take them out as soon as the bottoms turn slightly golden.
• Pressing on Cold Sheets: Warm baking sheets will make the dough spread too much. Always use a cooled sheet for each batch.
• Skipping the Test Press: Always test your cookie press first to ensure the dough is the right consistency and you’re comfortable with the pressure needed.
• Adding Icing Too Early: If decorating with royal icing or buttercream, make sure the cookies are completely cool or the icing will melt and run.
• Storing While Warm: Never store warm cookies—they’ll trap moisture and lose their crisp edges. Let them cool completely before packaging.

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What to Serve With Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies?

Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are versatile enough to shine on a dessert table, at afternoon tea, or as part of a festive snack spread. Here’s how to complement them beautifully:

8 Recommendations

1. Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream
   The buttery cookies pair perfectly with a rich, creamy mug of hot chocolate—especially topped with whipped cream or marshmallows.
2. Spiced Apple Cider
   The warmth of cinnamon and cloves in apple cider brings out the sweetness and richness of the cookies.
3. Vanilla Ice Cream
   Use the cookies as a crunchy garnish or sandwich two with a scoop in the middle for an easy, elegant ice cream sandwich.
4. Cheese Platter with Mild Cheddar or Brie
   Surprisingly, a buttery spritz cookie adds a sweet contrast to a savory cheese board, especially with creamy or slightly salty cheeses.
5. Coffee or Espresso
   Serve alongside an afternoon coffee for a delightful European-style snack. The cookie’s texture holds up well for dunking.
6. Fruit Salad with Berries
   Fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries add a tangy brightness that balances the richness of the cookies.
7. Lemon Curd or Raspberry Jam
   Offer a small dish of tangy lemon curd or jam for dipping or drizzling to elevate the cookies into a plated dessert.
8. Festive Holiday Cookie Platter
   Combine with gingerbread men, snowball cookies, and peppermint bark for a complete and eye-catching holiday dessert tray.

Whether you’re hosting guests or enjoying a quiet treat yourself, these pairing ideas enhance the simple charm of buttery spritz cookies.

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Storage Instructions

Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are fantastic make-ahead treats thanks to their firm texture and butter-rich dough. Here’s how to store them properly:

• Room Temperature: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7–10 days. Store in single layers separated by wax paper to maintain their shape and prevent sticking.
• Freezing (Baked): Spritz cookies freeze well. Place fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Freezing (Unbaked Dough): The dough itself doesn’t freeze well for use with a cookie press, as pressing cold or thawed dough can be difficult. Stick to freezing baked cookies instead.
• Decorated Cookies: If you’ve added icing or buttercream, allow it to dry completely before storing or stacking to avoid smudging or melting.

Let frozen cookies come to room temperature before serving to bring back their full flavor and crisp bite.

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Estimated Nutrition (Per Cookie — Approximate)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	80–90 kcal
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	3g
Cholesterol	15mg
Sodium	15mg
Carbohydrates	9g
Sugar	4g
Dietary Fiber	<1g
Protein	1g

Note: Nutrition will vary based on icing, decorations, and extract variations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies without a cookie press?

Yes! While a cookie press gives you the iconic shapes, you can roll the dough into small balls and flatten with a fork or stamp. The texture and flavor remain just as delicious.

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2. Why won’t the dough come out of my cookie press?

The dough may be too cold or too dry. Make sure your butter was properly softened, and avoid chilling the dough. If it’s too stiff, let it rest at room temp for 10–15 minutes.

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3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour that contains xanthan gum. Texture may be slightly different, but they still hold their shape well.

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4. How do I keep spritz cookies from spreading too much?

Ensure your baking sheets are cool before pressing each batch, and avoid using warm dough. Don’t overbeat the butter, and press onto ungreased, unlined metal sheets.

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5. Can I color the dough with food coloring?

Yes, gel food coloring works best. Divide the dough into portions and tint as desired before loading into the cookie press.

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6. Do these cookies ship well for gifting?

They do! Pack them tightly in a single layer using parchment between layers to avoid breakage. Use a sturdy container or tin for best results.

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7. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

It’s best to use the dough immediately after mixing for optimal pressing. However, if you must prep ahead, store the dough wrapped tightly in the fridge and let it warm before using.

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8. What’s the difference between spritz cookies and sugar cookies?

Spritz cookies are pressed from soft dough and don’t require chilling or rolling, whereas sugar cookies are usually rolled out, cut with cutters, and may be firmer in texture.

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Conclusion

Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are more than just a holiday staple—they’re a celebration of tradition, creativity, and that unmistakable buttery goodness. Whether you’re filling a festive cookie tray, creating handmade gifts, or starting a new baking tradition with family, these cookies never disappoint. With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a cookie press, you can create beautifully shaped, irresistibly tasty treats that capture the joy of the season. Happy baking!

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