Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe

If you’re searching for a festive and delightful treat that’s both charming and simple to whip up, look no further than these Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies. They’re the perfect balance of buttery, tender texture with just the right touch of sweetness that melts in your mouth. Plus, with a spritz cookie press, you get those lovely, intricate shapes that feel straight out of a holiday storybook, making them ideal for sharing joy during the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things straightforward with classic, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully to create the perfect cookie. Each component plays a special role, from the richness of butter to the subtle lift from baking powder, ensuring your Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies bake up soft and flavorful every time.

• 1 Stick of unsalted Butter, softened: Adds rich flavor and tender crumb.
• 1 Stick of Margarine, softened: Keeps cookies soft and helps with the perfect texture.
• 3/4 cup Sugar: Sweetens gently without overpowering the buttery taste.
• 2 Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture for a smooth dough.
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie flavor.
• Pinch of Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall taste.
• 3 1/2 cups All-purpose Flour: The structure provider that makes spritz cookies hold their shape.
• 1 heaping tsp Baking Powder: Gives a slight lift, keeping cookies light and tender.
• Optional Gel Food Coloring: Perfect for adding a pop of festive color to your holiday cookies.

How to Make Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Margarine

Start by placing the softened unsalted butter and margarine into your electric mixer. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This step is where the magic for a tender bite begins, as incorporating air here helps ensure your cookies will not be dense.

Step 2: Add Sugar and Eggs Alternately

Next, add the sugar gradually, about half a cup at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding the eggs one by one. This alternating method helps the sugar dissolve properly and evenly distributes the eggs for a smooth, cohesive dough.

Step 3: Mix in Vanilla Extract

Pour in that lovely vanilla extract which brings a subtle fragrance and boosts the warm, inviting flavor of the dough. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, pinch of salt, and baking powder. This dry mix is your structure-builder and leavening agent. Ensuring it’s well combined prevents clumps and helps the cookies bake evenly.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients into the Wet Mixture

Add the flour mixture little by little to the butter mixture by hand. Using gentle folding motions will prevent overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough instead of tender. Aim for a dough that holds together but is still soft.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Let the dough rest in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This chilling period firms up the fat, making the dough easier to work with when pressing out those beautiful shapes.

Step 7: Prepare Your Baking Pan

While your dough chills, put the baking pan into the fridge for 15 minutes. A cold pan helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, so those intricate spritz shapes stay defined.

Step 8: Load the Cookie Press and Adjust Dough Consistency

Fill your spritz cookie press according to its instructions. If the dough feels too soft and sticky, pop it back into the fridge for a bit longer. If it’s too stiff, let it sit out for a few minutes so it softens slightly—this balance is key for pressing perfect cookies.

Step 9: Press Cookies onto the Sheet

Press your dough shapes onto the ungreased, chilled cookie sheet. The ungreased surface allows the cookies to adhere just enough to keep shape but still slide off easily after baking.

Step 10: Add Festive Sprinkles

This is the moment to sprinkle sanding sugar or holiday-colored sprinkles on your cookies, enhancing both the look and the festive fun. Don’t be shy—adding this little extra will make your batch stand out on the cookie platter.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Slide your cookie sheet into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the edges just turning golden while the centers remain soft to ensure that classic spritz cookie texture.

How to Serve Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies

Garnishes

Spritz cookies are like a blank festive canvas. Before baking, decorating with colored sanding sugar, small sugar pearls, or mini chocolate chips can add a sparkling touch that makes each cookie feel like a little holiday treasure.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with warm drinks such as spiced eggnog, hot cocoa, or even a cozy cup of chai tea. The warmth and spices of your beverage contrast beautifully with the buttery sweetness of the cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies on a beautifully decorated platter or tie small stacks together with festive ribbons and place them in clear treat bags for thoughtful homemade gifts. You can also create cookie “trees” by stacking different shapes with a bit of frosting as glue for a charming centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any uneaten cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They should maintain their texture and flavor for up to a week, making them the perfect make-ahead treat so you’re always ready for guests.

Freezing

Spritz cookie dough freezes beautifully. Shape the dough into logs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When ready, thaw in the fridge, slice or press, and bake as usual. You can also freeze baked cookies by layering them between sheets of parchment paper in a sealed container.

Reheating

If you love your cookies warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave briefly for about 10 seconds. This revives the softness without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I substitute margarine with all butter?

Absolutely! Using all butter will give you a richer flavor, but keep in mind that margarine helps keep these cookies tender. If you use all butter, your cookies might spread a bit more, so you might want to chill the dough longer.

How do I prevent my spritz cookies from sticking to the cookie sheet?

Chilling your baking sheet before pressing the dough onto it helps a lot. Also, don’t grease the pan—spritz cookies tend to hold their shape better and bake evenly on ungreased, cold sheets.

Can I add flavors other than vanilla?

Definitely! Almond extract is a lovely alternative, giving your cookies a delightful nutty hint. Just use sparingly as it’s stronger than vanilla. You could also experiment with citrus zest for a bright twist.

What spritz cookie press shapes are best for Christmas?

Classic holiday shapes include stars, trees, wreaths, and snowflakes. These shapes instantly bring festive spirit to your kitchen and delight family and friends.

How do I keep the colors vibrant when using food coloring?

Gel food coloring is your best friend because it adds intense color without thinning the dough. Add just a small amount and mix gently to maintain the lovely texture of your Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend enough giving these Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies a place on your holiday baking list. They’re fun to make, easy to personalize, and simply irresistible to everyone who tastes them. Once you try them, you’ll find these cookies becoming a beloved tradition you reach for every holiday season.

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