Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies

These classic Christmas spritz cookies bring festive charm to your holiday baking with their delicate shape and buttery flavor. Ready in just under an hour, this easy Christmas spritz cookies recipe creates an impressive spread with minimal effort, perfect for busy December days or last minute gatherings. With a quick prep time and a dough that keeps its shape beautifully, these cookies are ideal for creating dozens of picture perfect treats in record time.

I first made these Christmas spritz cookies with my grandmother when I was just eight, and watching the simple dough get pressed into perfect shapes felt magical. Now, my own children look forward to this tradition every year, delighting in choosing disks and sprinkling on colorful decorations. The nostalgia and fun of making easy spritz cookies each December creates lasting memories in our family kitchen.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich flavor and a tender crumb; make sure it’s softened for even mixing. You can use all butter for extra richness, but combining with margarine helps the dough hold intricate shapes better.
• Margarine, softened: Ensures the cookies keep clean patterns; great if you need a dairy free alternative, though butter gives the best taste.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and light texture; don’t substitute brown sugar as it can change the cookie’s structure.
• Large eggs, room temperature: Gives structure and tender texture; room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly, preventing lumps in the dough.
• Pure vanilla extract: Delivers deep aroma and flavor; use clear vanilla to keep dough colors bright, or pure vanilla for a more natural flavor in classic spritz cookies.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors; a pinch goes a long way in these delicate holiday cookies.
• All purpose flour: Provides the main structure; sift or whisk for even mixing. For gluten free spritz, use a 1 to 1 gluten free baking blend with xanthan gum.
• Baking powder: Adds subtle lift for a crisp but tender cookie; ensure freshness for best results.
• Optional decorations (sprinkles, colored sugar): Customize your Christmas cookies for any occasion. Nonpareils, colored sugar, or even a touch of food coloring transform each batch into a festive treat.

How to Make Christmas Spritz Cookies

Prepare the Butter Base:

Combine softened butter and margarine in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light, pale, and fluffy. This process incorporates air and creates a tender texture, ensuring the cookies are both delicate and crisp.

Incorporate Sugar and Eggs:

Add the granulated sugar gradually, mixing after each addition for about 30 seconds. Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping down the sides. The batter should become slightly increased in volume and smooth, which sets the foundation for perfect shaped cookies.

Add Vanilla and Coloring:

Mix in vanilla extract until fully combined. If coloring the dough, add a few drops of food coloring now and mix until evenly distributed—remember colors lighten in baking, so add a bit extra if you want vivid hues.

Prepare Dry Ingredients:

In another bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder until homogenous. This disperses the leavening to prevent uneven baking or air holes in your spritz cookies.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture, about 1 cup at a time, using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir just until the flour disappears; overmixing develops gluten, making cookies tough and misshapen.

Chill the Dough:

Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate 15 minutes or until slightly firm. This step is crucial for pressing—too soft and the dough won’t hold shapes, too firm and pressing becomes tough.

Chill Baking Sheets:

While dough chills, refrigerate ungreased baking sheets. The cold helps cookies grip the pan and release cleanly from the press, so you get sharp, picture perfect shapes every time.

Preheat Oven and Prep:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Fill cookie press two thirds full with dough and select your chosen disk—keep the remainder chilled between batches for consistency.

Press Cookies:

Hold cookie press upright, press once, and lift straight up to form a neat cookie. Space each about 1.5 inches apart, as spritz cookies spread just slightly during baking.

Add Decorations:

Quickly sprinkle decorative toppings onto the sticky dough before baking. Working in small batches prevents cookies warming up and losing their shape, which is essential for sharp details.

Bake to Perfection:

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 350°F, until edges are just faintly golden. The cookies should retain their light color in the center and firm as they cool, so avoid overbaking for the best tender texture.

Cool and Store:

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once fully cool, store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to a week to maintain their delightful snap.

The first time I tried making spritz cookies, the dough kept sticking to the cookie press, causing misshapen results. After discovering the trick of chilling both the dough and the baking sheets, my cookies turned from blobs into intricate Christmas trees and wreaths. Now these buttery, festive cookies are the centerpiece of every family holiday cookie platter.

Smart Swaps and Variations

The classic spritz cookie dough is easy to customize for flavor, texture, and looks. Add almond extract for Scandinavian flair, or swap 1/2 cup flour for unsweetened cocoa powder to make chocolate spritz. Food coloring gives you endless options—red and green for Christmas, pastels for spring, or a mix for special occasions. For gluten free cookies, use a 1 to 1 gluten free baking flour with xanthan gum. Citrus zest, such as lemon or orange, adds brightness to the dough and makes these cookies unique to your taste and the season.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Spritz Cookies

Let cookies cool fully before storing. Place in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers to prevent breaking, and keep at room temperature for up to 7 days. For longer keeping, arrange cookies in a single layer to freeze, then transfer to freezer bags and store for up to 3 months. To refresh cookies that have softened, bake in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes, then cool before serving. The dough can also be chilled for up to 3 days, making it easy to prep ahead and bake fresh for special occasions.

What to Serve with Christmas Spritz Cookies

Serve Christmas spritz cookies with hot coffee, tea, or spiced apple cider for a classic afternoon snack. For dessert platters, pair with chocolate crinkles, lemon bars, or gingerbread for a striking holiday cookie spread with varied flavors and textures. Spritz cookies also work beautifully alongside mild cheeses and fresh berries, or as a companion for vanilla ice cream and whipped cream—a festive and elegant finish to any meal.

Nutritional Benefits

While spritz cookies are mostly a holiday indulgence, they contain less sugar than frosted cookies and are naturally portion controlled by shape. Each cookie offers about 60 to 70 calories, 1 gram protein, and 2 grams fat, making them a lighter treat on holiday trays. These cookies are easily adapted for dairy free or gluten free diets by swapping ingredients, and contain no artificial flavors, making them a wholesome choice when baked from scratch for family celebrations.

Recipe Success Tips

If the dough won’t release cleanly from the cookie press, check that both your baking sheet and dough are cold and ungreased. Dough that is too stiff can be softened with a teaspoon of milk; too soft, chill for 15 to 30 minutes more. Pressing onto warm or greased pans leads to melted blobs, so always let pans cool between batches. If your designs lose detail, try switching disks or chilling pressed cookies for a few minutes before baking for sharp definition every time.

These Christmas spritz cookies have brightened my holiday baking for over twenty years and continue to delight family, friends, and coworkers with every batch. May their buttery flavor and festive shapes bring cheer and ease to your own celebrations this season!

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How do I prevent the dough from sticking in the cookie press?

Ensure the dough is well chilled but still pliable. Chilling the dough and the baking pans before pressing helps the shapes hold and makes pressing easier.

→ Can I use only butter instead of margarine?

Yes, you can use all butter for a richer flavor. The mix with margarine makes cookies softer, but all-butter yields delicious results too.

→ What are some decorating ideas for these cookies?

Top with colored sprinkles or sanding sugar before baking. You can also drizzle with melted chocolate or add edible glitter for a festive touch.

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared, wrapped, and refrigerated up to two days in advance. Let it soften slightly before pressing.

→ Do these cookies freeze well?

Absolutely. Cool the baked cookies completely, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.