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If you have never made Spritz cookies before, you may not realize that these gorgeous little cookies, with all of their different shapes and colors, are some of the quickest and easiest Christmas cookies you can make. You may not realize that they take half the time of cut out cookies and only use ingredients you probably have on hand already. You may not realize that changing shapes is as simple as unscrewing a ring and putting a new stencil on – in a matter of a few seconds.
The end result is a clean tasting butter cookie that will bring oohs and ahhs from other folks who may not realize that it is even possible to make cookies like this at home because they’re so used to only seeing them in grocery stores.
They will then realize that a whiz you are in the kitchen 🙂
You’ll need: Baking Powder, Milk, Egg, Vanilla Flavoring, Butter Flavoring (or almond*), All purpose flour, softened butter, and sugar.
*A lot of spritz cookie recipes call for almond flavoring so if you like almond flavoring you should definitely add it. If you are like me and really and truly dislike almond flavored things, you should skip it and add butter flavoring or another that you like in it’s place. Big fan of almonds, but not a cheerleader for the flavoring.
P.S. Speaking of things I’m not a fan of. I ate a snail in the Dominican Republic last week. Considering I’ve eaten an almond flavored cookie before, it just seemed fair. Won’t be doing that again but I had the opportunity and took it. I figure folks who eat snails just must not be good hunters. If you’ve got to settle for the slowest moving creature ya know…
You’re also going to need a cookie press. There isn’t any way around this if you want to make Spritz cookies but I can tell you how to get one pretty cheap 🙂 There are all types available in all price ranges. Personally, I would stay away from anything plastic. This one has plastic parts but the majority of it, the parts that take the pressure, are stainless and that makes it work really well. This one retails for about $25 but if you get it at Michael’s Arts and Crafts or Hobby Lobby, you can use a coupon for 40-50% off. Michael’s has their coupon available online to print or you can get it on their phone app. Hobby Lobby also has theirs available online and if you’re in the store and want to use it you can just pull up their webpage and show the cashier the coupon. I got this one at Hobby Lobby. So I used a coupon and paid a little over $12 for a new one.
I already own a cookie press of course, but I have no idea where it is. Why? Well you see, we moved a little over 3 years ago. You know how, when you move, there are always those few boxes that never get unpacked? Yup. They’re in our attic and my original cookie press along with my vintage Davy Crockett coffee mug are in those. ~sighs~ Maybe my old one will be discovered by archeologists someday. If I’m lucky, just for fun, it’ll be discovered by archeologists who make up their own history and end up in a museum somewhere, with a sign that says it was the original cookie press of Davy Crockett himself.
You’re also going to need colorful sprinkles and a funnel if you want to do a cute little technique I’m going to show you later. Funnel is optional, cute sprinkles are a must 🙂
Place softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
And beat the mess out of it until it’s well blended and fluffy.
Add in egg, milk, and flavorings and beat again until well mixed.
Then add in flour and baking powder.
I sometimes add 1/4 teaspoon salt here as well. The original recipes don’t call for it but I find that little bit helps. It’s up to you. I add it when I think about it and don’t when I forget.
Mix that really well and you have your cookie dough!
Fill your cookie press (it will come with instructions to show you how) and fit it with your first shape stencil.
Press out until your cookie sheet is filled.
This one just has a trigger grip. I squeeze and one cookie comes out. Move it to another spot, squeeze, move it to another spot, squeeze….
It’s a pretty fast process.
Decorate cookies with colorful sprinkles before baking.
Oh and here is what I used that funnel for.
I made these little flowers and sprinkled them with yellow sugars first. Then…
I gently placed a funnel on top of the centers and poured in red sprinkles.
When you lift up the funnel it looks like this. It is a cute touch but only took a second or two for each one.
Low Maintenance but beautiful cookies!
Because not once have I ever looked at a recipe and said “Ya know, it looks good and all that, but I just wish it were more complicated!”
Enjoy your beautiful cookies!
- 3½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 + ½ cups softened butter (softened at room temp)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ to 1 teaspoon butter flavoring (or other flavoring of your choice. Almond or Lemon would be nice)
- In mixing bowl, place butter and sugar and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk, and flavorings and beat again until well combined. Add in flour and baking powder and beat once more until a good dough is formed (will only take a minute or so), scraping down sides as needed.
- Place dough in cookie press and add a stencil to the bottom according to cookie press directions. Pipe out onto ungreased cookie sheets and sprinkle with colored sugars. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly browned around the edges. Repeat until all dough is used.
Don’t Forget The Apples…
Last week in the Dominican Republic I was at a school and the Spanish speaking team put on a skit about the true meaning if Christmas. A translator stood behind me quietly interpreting all they said. “What do you most look forward to at Christmas?” “The apples! The apples!” Some children shouted back.
The interpreter felt the need to explain so he told me that at Christmastime there is always enough food so children really look forward to eating because they know there will be enough for everyone.
Instead of fretting over lists and wrapping gifts, for them Christmas is about having enough, and the joy of knowing that.
I thought of our kids and folks in the US and how commercialized it has become. We aren’t bad people for wanting things. The sadness is when we look forward to the things so much that we don’t appreciate the spirit and experience of Christmas, not to mention the true meaning of unconditional and sacrificial love for each of one of us.
As I look down my list of gifts now though, I see those eyes of children light up when asked what their favorite thing about Christmas is and my heart says “The apples. Don’t forget the apples.”
Take joy in having enough today.
Don’t forget the apples.
Gratefully,
Christy
Yum
I just found my Wilton Bite Size Cookie Press, I don’t even think they make them any more. I found two of them!!! Now to make the cookies. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!!!!
Our local Aldi store had these cookie presses for $9!! Picked one up. Now to make the cookies!
My family has used this recipe and press for years. I have I think 3 at this time. My grandma’s , my mom’s, and the one I got for myself when I moved out on my own (It’s a mini press). The first two have the twist tops and take a little practice to get the shapes to come out right. Also, my dad also loved almonds but not the almond flavor and I seem to take after him. I haven’t made in in the last few years, both parents have passed and not in the mood. I think I may give it a try this year. The mini press is great because you can just pop a cookie in your mouth.
Ok lesson just learned. I made the dough and one batch of cookies and had to run to the store. So I put the dough in the fridge. When I returned and started baking again the dough wouldn’t stick to the pan to make the shape of the cookie. So cold is not good. It needs to be a bit warm and soft.
Yup. Room temp is perfect. Next time I’d just cover your bowl with foil if you’ll be right back or allow to come to room temp if gone for a while.
Those children’s comments really got me. I have pared down our gift list as I’ve been thinking about all the folks out of work, those who have lost their homes to “sandy” and decided we were going to be thankful for alot less this year. i think it’s going to be our best Christmas yet…
Christy – Your website is a delight and I have really enjoyed making some of your recipes from your cookbook. It was given to me as a present and I love it!!!! I have a question – do you use unsalted or salted butter in this recipe? Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas!
I use whatever I have on hand but if I were to buy butter just for this recipe I would use unsalted.
Hi Christy
Love your website. Where did you get the sugar & flour cannisters? My kitchen is decorated in red and these would look great in it. Thanks.
Hi Maryann! I actually made the canisters. You can learn more about them here: https://www.southernplate.com/2010/08/christys-qa-with-you.html
These videos are not available as of 12/22/17. Can they be found anywhere else? Thanks, Christy.
I gotta tell you … this is the BEST recipe I’ve ever used for these ‘fancy’ cookies – thank you so much for posting it the other day. I’ve made THREE batches since then. Seriously. We’ve got cookies stacked all over the kitchen and dining room, waiting to be packed in the gift box to which they’re assigned. (Not JUST the spritz cookies, of course, but they’re a mighty big portion of cookies for such little bitty bites of yumminess.) Thank you again!
Hey Christy! I make spritz every year for my son but last year I couldn’t find my recipe~ its made with powered sugar instead of granulated. Justin said the granulated onces just weren’t “right” to him. Any idea if I could just substitute in your recipe and or would I have to change or add anything? Thanks!
Maybe you can grind regular sugar in a food processor to make it finer, when you don’t have powdered sugar on hand.
Btw,
Oops
Btw, LOVE the funnel hint!! 🙂
Christy, I bought an old metal cookie press from Ebay last year & found a recipe that I thought was pretty good, although you had to refrigerate the dough in between batches. Well, let me tell you, when I saw your recipe posted I tried it. This is the best recipe I have found for Spritz cookies! I didn’t have to refrigerate the dough, it held together beautifully. And–the cookies taste good too. I have tried many recipes over the past but this is definitely my go to one from now on in making Spritz cookies. Bless you my child. Thanks for posting it. Merry Christmas!
thanks to your tip, I purchased the same cookie press at Michael’s yesterday with a coupon, and made these cookies last night. I was amazed at how many cookies this recipe made….and they are soooo yummy! Merry Christmas to you Christy—thank you for all of your wonderful posts!
I tried to make these the other night. I halved the recipe and had trouble with it. At first the dough seemed a bit sticky but we tried it in the press anyway. They didn’t look pretty on top, they “pulled” when detaching from the press and had peaks on top. So i added more flour to my remaining dough, and that dough wouldn’t stick to the pan or detach from the press. So it all went in the trash. I guess I’ll make the whole recipe next time.
Just tried making them again. The first round worked but when I got those out of the oven and tried pressing more, they wouldn’t stick to the pan. Even tried a new pan and putting the dough in the fridge for 5 mins. Neither worked, so I ended up rolling balls and flattening them. Any ideas why I can’t get this to work??
Usually when I can’t get them to stick I just need to click my cookie press one extra time and it works. It may be a cookie press issue so try to press as if you’re pressing two cookies for one then release completely before lifting your press from the pan.
I love spritz cookies. Easy to make and bake. Even better to give away. I live on Social Security and Disability. Its troublesome to have enough between that check and my EBT for myself and my family. A roommate makes fresh chicken liver and sweet potato cookies for my dog Deidre and I trade her some of what I bake at the holidays.
We may end up with snow for the first time this season, I miss living in warmer climates. Not just because my health seemed less troublesome. Anyway, I seemed to have gone off an a silly tangent, my apologies. My friends and family know that when they receive a Xmas. And Yule to
in from me that something great will be inside. I’m thinking of trying your recipe for these tasty cookies. My mom had always used haved maraschino cherries were you used red sanding sugar in the middle of the flowers. May have to try your suggestions. I made 6 loves of pumpkin bread today to be shelved to our dining room (coldest place in our apartment next to the bathroom.) the Rollo pretzel turtles will be made last and in between will be chewy macaroons (the coconut kind) and drizzled with dark chocolate. Then thumbprint cookies with dulce de leche in the center instead of jam. Those cookies will be made easier because of betty Crocker sugar cookie packs. Something I had never done before but your recipes and Ree Drummond’s just made it seem possible.
Thank you Christy. Your blogging and recipes makes the pain of missing my mother seem better, not quite so painful. She taught me to cook herself. While my father remarried and she has welcomed me hugely so, still we think about those who have passed before, especially at the holidays. My current family has been understanding, it still hurts.
the only cookie that takes the most work in both prep and mixing but scooping and baking is easier. I make toll house chunk cookies, following my mom’s recipe, but at the holiday I add mini m&m’s in red or green, sometimes adding pumpkin seeds instead of nuts and most recently due to the Pioneer Womans suggested, we have added flax seeds. She adds it as well as other types of seeds or healthy additions and her kids never noticed. My family just loved them more as those who received tins of them, our family doctor, my favorite pharmacist, family, friends both her in NJ and those who live in other places. Luckily I never indulge myself or I would weigh a ton,
You might try chilling the cookie sheets. I find when I make spritz cookies, since the dough is so buttery, I try not to handle it too much. But chilling the sheets in the freezer seemed to help with getting the cookies to stick to the sheet.
Danielle,
I have found that if you wash the cookie pan in between batches it works better. I think the sprinkles and decorations left from the previous batch keep them from sticking. Also, I found that keeping the dough at room temperature works best. I just leave the bowl and the cookie press out on the counter while the cookies are baking. My daughter and I have made 3 batches for friends, co-workers and family. Hope this helps…
I am SO glad I read this! I was in need ot a good cookie press after my Swedish cookie press bit the dust! Just starting to make my Spritz cookies now!!!
(Hmmm.. I wonder if I have fun sprinkles for mine…?) 🙂
I hope you enjoy the recipe Catherine and the cookie press!!
Thank you so much for this recipe. Found this recipe in a magazine over 40 years ago. I think it was Lady’s Home Journal. Well I lost it. Knew it had 2 tablespoons of milk but I forgot about the baking powder. I can’t wait to make these cookies next Christmas. Thank you again.
I hope you enjoy Jane!!!
Our recipe is very similar except we use pure almond extract instead of the butter flavoring. We like to bake the cookies for the shorter side of 9 minutes to ensure softness. Christy, was this a family recipe or one you found/created?
I’m not allowed to say the words “spritz cookies” in my house… my husband is a graphic designer for a t-shirt shop and a lady came in recently wanting a t-shirt with spritz cookies on it… and let’s just say, we don’t talk about spritz cookies in the Coers house right now. LOL But I really want to make some! 😀 I love spritz cookies.
Just an FYI. ..we have Michaels , jo Ann’s and Hobby Lobby in our area (middle TN) and I know that here each one honors the others coupons. If you go to one and they don’t have what your looking for you can go to the other and still get a good deal.
Haven’t broken out my cookie press in years but after seeing/reading your post, it is time!! And I really need a Pig Spatula for my BBQ restaurant. ~nodding~
Was especially touched by “Don’t forget the apples.” My husband and son are preparing to leave for Guatemala for a mission trip next week. This will be my husband’s second trip and it changed him. So happy they are able to do this together. My turn is spring break! 🙂
I’m getting ready to make these. I was so glad to see that you didn’t have to refrigerate them because I waited a little late to get started. 🙂
Christy, I just wanted to repeat what I said last year, this is the best spritz cookies recipe I have ever tried…and I’ve tried many. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
I am confused about butter flavoring you mention in recipe. I am
Not using almond flavoring. In addition to butter and vanilla is there
Another flavoring I need to use? Thank you
Ok true confession time-I have tried for years to make spritz cookies buying who knows how many cookie presses and trying many different recipes and always end up with a huge mess. What am I doing wrong?????
Me too…….nothing but a mess!
For anyone that needs a cookie press if you have a Big Lots store nearby they have a Wilton Cookie Press for $10. I hope this helps anyone that needs one.
Thanks for letting us know Marsha!!
Chisrty can you tell me…I have bought 2 cookie presses…and they both made my cookies come out mushy….what am I doing wrong? No tree design or flower or nothing….nothing but mush…….help…….
I have wanted to try spritz cookies for years but I have trouble with my hands that don’t allow me to operate a press. I found an electric one in pink this year at TJ Maxx. The butter is softening!
Great find!!! I hope you enjoy the cookies and have a Merry Christmas!!
I don’t know if this helps, but my cookie press seems temperamental at first. The first cookies that come out each time I change the design are either not complete or too much dough to make the design. My advise is to keep making the cookies and do not remove the dough off the press between cookies, even if they are messed up. By about the 4th or 5th cookie they are perfect. I just pick up the ones that didn’t come out and do them over. If you take the dough off of the press it will keep making messed up cookies. I think the press has to get all the air out first and compact the dough.
I adore your pig spatula!!! I bought one for my daughter a few years ago, just because she loves pink!! I am a hunter of snails…at my daughters (never lived where they were abundant cuz I live in the dry)…with salt! I like escargot for the garlic butter – that’s the yummy part!! Thank you for another great recipe – I love making these cookies and they freeze so very well so I can make them for other holidays all at the same time and pop them in the freezer!! Of course, I love them frozen so I have to kind of hide them from myself!!!
I’m confused about the flavoring. Do you need extra flavoring? Especially since there’s already butter in it
Love the spritz cookies, but I do not own a cookie press. I wonder if the cookie cut out shapes would work just as well? Thanks for all the wonderful ideas, Merry Christmas!
These our my favorite Christmas cookies along with Ginger Snaps. Our recipe is very similar, but we add cream cheese to ours 🙂
🙂
My cookie press is a Mirro, and it is 63 years old. The Christmas trees with the green sprinkles are still my 50 year old son’s favorite cookie and he wants me to make them for his office this year. It would probably be easier with the new presses.
Thank you for your wonderful stories.
Awww, how sweet! I love that they are still his favorite cookie and he still wants you to make them for his “friends”!!!
Today I, my daughter, daughter-in-law and two year old granddaughter made these cookies and we had the best time!! Great dough, and a great cookie to make with a toddler. We let her decorate the cookies with sprinkles before they baked and of course she had the honor of the first cookie. She was so excited about the cookies “she” made! And the three adults learned how to use a cookie press. We are hooked now. Our new Christmas tradition!
How precious!! I am so glad you enjoyed your time in the kitchen with your girls and enjoyed the cookies!!
Thank you for this and many other great recipes. My first attempt at making spritz cookies. Right after mixing these, they were very sticky and I couldn’t get them to dispense from the press. I think the problem was the dough was too warm from the mixing. I covered this for a few hours and let the dough cool to room temperature. It then worked great in the press.
I am so glad you figured out what the problem was Jane!!
These are my husband’s favorite cookies. I love the funnel idea. I’ll be using it later today. Thanks!!
🙂 Hope you had a Merry Christmas Page!!
Just now catching up on my emails n reading my favorite Food Blogger, & of course U!! I Stumbled upon this Christy….and tears welled up in my eyes!
U see I shall never forget Apples either!
It’s been a financially hard time for my family n many others this year. But to make a long story short. ..This story about the children n the apples have Completed what I already know. …God has BLESSED us sooo much. I had apples in my pantry for Christmas! Ty hun 4 Sharing! God knew just what I needed to read this day after Christmas 2016! ❤
Isn’t it wonderful how He gives us exactly what we need when we need it!!
Hi Christy, please let me know as soon as possible if and how I can freeze my decorated and baked spritz cookies. Love your recipe.
Mary