Welcome to the definitive guide for crafting the most exquisite spritz cookies! Prepare to delight your senses with these buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth treats, perfect for brightening up Christmas festivities and all your holiday gatherings. Adorned with sparkling sugars or festive sprinkles, this timeless cookie recipe offers both joy in baking and irresistible deliciousness in every bite. Embracing the charm of an old-fashioned cookie press, these classic cookies are simply unparalleled. Get ready to create cherished memories and delectable delights that capture the true spirit of the season!
Unlocking the Secret to Perfect Spritz Cookies: A Personal Journey
For countless holiday seasons, the art of making flawless spritz cookies remained a baffling mystery to me. I admired them endlessly when my dear friend, Julie, would bring her gorgeous batches to our annual cookie exchanges. Each time, I vowed to conquer this elusive recipe, only to be met with frustration. I invested in various cookie presses, diligently followed different recipes, and still, success evaded me. My cookies either wouldn’t release from the press, would spread into amorphous blobs, or simply lacked that delicate, crisp-yet-tender texture that defined a true spritz. This cycle of disappointment continued until one magical Christmas, when I received a gift that would forever change my holiday baking.
Julie, knowing my struggles and my admiration for her mother’s cookies, embarked on a quest to find a cookie press just like the vintage one her mom used. After searching high and low, she finally discovered one on eBay: a sturdy, metal cookie press. But that wasn’t all! This thoughtful gift came accompanied by her mom’s cherished lemon spritz cookie recipe, complete with all her invaluable tips and tricks for making the absolute best spritz cookies. It was a true game-changer, a culinary heirloom that unlocked the secrets I had long sought.
From that moment on, my baking journey with spritz cookies transformed. What once seemed impossible became a joyous annual tradition. Now, my family eagerly anticipates the arrival of these freshly baked beauties, carefully arranged in our cookie tins. The intricate shapes, the vibrant colors, and the irresistible aroma fill our home with holiday cheer. And yes, these delicate, buttery cookies are absolutely perfect for leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve – a truly magical touch to a magical night.
While this recipe celebrates the bright, zesty flavor of lemon, which I personally adore for its refreshing contrast amidst the usual peppermint and chocolate on my holiday cookie trays, feel free to customize it to your palate. You can easily switch things up by using classic vanilla or rich almond extract instead of lemon, ensuring these adaptable cookies perfectly complement any festive spread.
Spritz vs. Butter Cookies: Unraveling the Delicious Distinction
Often, people wonder about the difference between spritz cookies and butter cookies, or if they are simply two names for the same treat. While they share many similarities, there’s a key distinction that sets them apart! The most significant difference lies in their ingredients: traditional spritz cookie dough always includes an egg, whereas classic butter cookies do not. This seemingly small addition of an egg contributes significantly to the unique texture and crumb of spritz cookies, making them lighter, more delicate, and with a slightly finer crumb that truly melts in your mouth.
Why This Spritz Cookie Recipe Will Become Your Holiday Favorite
This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a gateway to holiday joy and delicious traditions. Here’s why this particular spritz cookie recipe stands out from the rest:
- Perfect for Christmas and Beyond: As the festive season approaches, the urge to bake becomes undeniable! These lemon spritz cookies, or any flavor you choose, are my steadfast go-to every year because they infuse so much joy into the holidays. The charming sprinkles, delicate leaf designs, and whimsical swirls are not only incredibly cute and fun to eat but also make for a stunning display on any holiday table. Beyond personal enjoyment, their exquisite appearance and delightful taste make them ideal for heartfelt homemade gifts, spreading cheer to friends and family.
- Surprisingly Easy to Master: Don’t let the elegant designs intimidate you! This is a wonderfully simple cookie dough recipe that even novice bakers can master with confidence. It’s an excellent opportunity to invite the kids into the kitchen, creating cherished memories as they help press out the shapes. While using a spritz cookie press might seem daunting at first, you’ll find it remarkably easy to operate, transforming dough into beautiful cookies with a satisfying click.
- Sweet, Buttery, and Utterly Delicious: Prepare for a truly delightful sensory experience. These old-fashioned spritz cookies are buttery, wonderfully flaky, perfectly sweet, and crumbly in the best possible way. Each bite delivers a rich, classic cookie flavor that evokes warmth and comfort. If you appreciate the timeless appeal of traditional cookies, then these will undoubtedly become a beloved staple in your repertoire.
- A Joyful Holiday Baking Experience: There’s something truly magical about baking these cookies during the holidays. The comforting aroma of butter, sugar, and lemon (or your chosen extract) fills the air, creating a warm and inviting kitchen that feels like the heart of Christmas. This sensory experience often sparks a flood of nostalgic memories, perhaps recalling times spent helping Mom or Grandma bake different Christmas cookies, reminding us of the simple joys and traditions that make the season so special.
Essential Ingredients for Your Spritz Cookies
Crafting these delightful cookies requires only a handful of everyday baking ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.
The Wet Ingredients: Foundation of Flavor and Texture
Crisco (or Butter for greasing): This is crucial for preparing your baking sheets. A thin, even layer of Crisco ensures that your beautifully pressed cookies release easily from the pan without sticking or tearing. While Crisco is my top recommendation for its non-stick properties, softened butter can also be used effectively.
Unsalted Butter: The cornerstone of these rich, buttery cookies. Ensure your unsalted butter is at room temperature and properly softened. This allows it to cream smoothly with the sugar, creating a light and airy base for your dough, which is essential for the delicate texture of spritz cookies.
Large Egg: You’ll need one whole egg, ideally at room temperature. The egg is the defining ingredient that differentiates spritz from traditional butter cookies. It adds moisture, richness, and contributes to the wonderfully delicate, crumbly, and slightly crisp texture that makes spritz cookies so irresistible.
Lemon Extract: I personally love the bright, refreshing zing that lemon extract brings to these cookies, offering a lovely counterpoint to the richness of the butter. However, this is a versatile recipe! If you prefer a different flavor profile, feel free to substitute with an equal amount of pure vanilla extract for a classic taste, or almond extract for a more sophisticated, nutty note.
The Dry Ingredients: Structure and Sweetness
Granulated Sugar: Standard white granulated sugar provides the perfect amount of sweetness and helps create the characteristic soft and tender texture of these cookies. It also aids in the beautiful golden-brown edges.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. All-purpose flour is versatile and works perfectly for this recipe, ensuring a tender crumb that holds its shape. For those with dietary restrictions, a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend can often be substituted successfully, though results may vary slightly.
Fine Salt: Just a tiny pinch of salt plays a vital role in balancing the sweetness of the cookies and enhancing all the other flavors. It also contributes to the chemical reactions with the leavening agents during baking.
Baking Powder: This essential leavening agent is what gives spritz cookies their slight lift and airy texture. It reacts when mixed with wet ingredients and exposed to heat, ensuring your cookies are light and perfectly fluffy.
Sprinkles or Colored Sugar: These are the festive finishing touches that transform simple cookies into holiday masterpieces! Use traditional red and green colored sugars or sprinkles to capture the spirit of Christmas. But don’t limit yourself – switch up the colors for other holidays like Valentine’s Day or Easter, or use multi-colored sprinkles for a cheerful treat any time of year.
The Intriguing Origins of Spritz Cookies
The delightful spritz cookie boasts a rich history, tracing its origins back to Germany, where it was originally known as “Spritzgeback.” The name “Spritz” itself comes from the German word “spritzen,” which literally means “to squirt” or “to squirt out.” This perfectly describes the method of making these cookies, where soft dough is pressed or “squirted” through a cookie press onto a baking sheet, forming intricate and charming shapes. This traditional technique has been passed down through generations, making spritz cookies a beloved part of European and, eventually, American holiday baking traditions.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make These Exquisite Lemon Spritz Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create a batch of perfect lemon spritz cookies that will impress everyone:
Preparation: Preheat and Chill
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your cookies are ready to bake. While the oven preheats, generously grease your cookie sheets with Crisco. A thin, even layer is key to preventing sticking. If Crisco isn’t available, butter makes a suitable alternative. Crucially, place your cookie press in the refrigerator to chill. This small step is a secret to success!
Creaming Butter and Sugar to Perfection
In a large mixing bowl, using either a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium-high speed until the mixture is visibly light in color, fluffy, and well aerated. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ delicate texture.
Incorporating the Egg and Flavor
Next, add the room temperature egg and the lemon extract (or your chosen extract, like vanilla or almond) to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Continue to beat on medium speed until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth.
Gently Sifting and Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Gradually add this sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three separate additions. After each addition, gently stir by hand or on very low speed with your mixer, just until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing at this stage can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies, so be gentle!
Filling and Preparing Your Chilled Press
Retrieve your chilled cookie press from the refrigerator. Fill the barrel of the press firmly with the cookie dough, ensuring there are no large air pockets. Select your desired disc design and securely adhere it to the end of the press. Having a cold press is vital for the dough to cling to the baking sheet and maintain its shape.
Pressing the Cookies onto the Sheet
Position the cookie press directly onto the greased baking sheet. With firm, even pressure, press the cookies out in your chosen designs. You’ll hear a “click” with each press, signaling that a cookie has been formed. Experiment with different discs to create a beautiful array of shapes and get creative! It’s important to press directly onto the cold, greased sheet; do not use parchment paper or silicone mats as the dough needs to stick directly to the metal for proper adherence.
Decorating Your Spritz Cookies
Immediately after pressing, sprinkle your cookies generously with colored sprinkles or decorative sugar. The slightly moist dough will help the decorations adhere perfectly. You can easily purchase a variety of colored sugars from the store, or, for an extra personal touch, learn how to make your own vibrant colored sugars, just like my Mom does for her famous sugar cookie recipe. For another level of flavor and fun, consider flavoring your sugars!
Baking to Golden Perfection and Cooling
Finally, slide your decorated cookie sheets into the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for approximately seven minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary slightly between ovens. Overbaking will make them too crisp. Once baked, carefully transfer the delicate cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy. Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container or your favorite cookie jar to maintain their freshness.
Sprinkle Timing: Before or After Baking?
This is a common question, and for the best results with spritz cookies, I always recommend adding your sprinkles or colored sugar to the dough *before* the cookies go into the oven. The slight moisture and tackiness of the raw cookie dough act as a perfect adhesive, allowing the sprinkles to embed themselves and firmly stick to the tops of the cookies as they bake. If you try to add them after baking, they often won’t adhere well and will simply fall off, leaving your beautiful cookies bare.
The Secrets to Making Unfailingly Perfect Spritz Cookies
Achieving perfect spritz cookies every time boils down to a few critical techniques. Here are the tried-and-true secrets that ensure success:
- Gradual Flour Addition: When incorporating the flour, do so slowly and in small intervals. Gently stir it in by hand until it’s just combined. Overmixing will develop the gluten, resulting in tough, chewy cookies instead of the desired tender, crumbly texture.
- Chilled Cookie Press, Not Dough: This is perhaps the most crucial secret! While many cookie doughs benefit from chilling, spritz dough actually needs to be at room temperature and slightly sticky to work properly in the press. It’s the *cookie press* itself that should be chilled. A cold press prevents the dough from sticking inside the barrel and helps the shapes adhere cleanly to the baking sheet.
- Direct Contact with Baking Sheet: For successful pressing, work directly above a *clean, unlined* baking sheet that has been greased with Crisco or butter. Do not use parchment paper or silicone baking mats. The dough needs to make direct contact with the cool, greased metal surface to stick and form its shape properly when pressed.
- Even Pressure: Apply firm, even pressure to the cookie press when forming the shapes. A consistent press helps ensure uniform cookies that bake evenly.
Helpful Notes and Essential Tips for Spritz Cookie Success
- For the absolute best results, always remember to chill your cookie press before you begin. This helps the dough adhere perfectly to the baking sheet and release cleanly from the press. Conversely, do not chill the dough itself; it needs to be at room temperature and slightly sticky to function correctly in the press.
- Keep a close eye on your cookies while they bake! All ovens vary, and what takes 7 minutes in one might take 8-10 minutes in another. I personally like to pull my cookies out of the oven after exactly seven minutes to achieve that perfect, barely golden edge, which keeps them wonderfully tender.
- Once completely cooled, store any leftover spritz cookies in an airtight container. This will help them maintain their delicate texture and fresh flavor for several days.
- Planning ahead for the busy holiday season? This lemon spritz cookie recipe is fantastic for make-ahead baking! These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Simply bake them, allow them to cool completely, then layer them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just pull them out and let them thaw gently in the refrigerator.
Loved This Classic Cookie Recipe? Pin It for Later!
Ensure you never lose track of this fantastic recipe and all the valuable tips and tricks for making the best old-fashioned spritz cookies! Be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you leave, so you can easily find it for your next baking adventure!
More Irresistible Cookie Recipes You Will Adore!
If you’re feeling the baking spirit, like I always am, then you’ll love exploring these other incredible cookie recipes. They are perfect for expanding your holiday cookie repertoire or simply enjoying year-round!
- Funfetti Sugar Cookies (pictured above)
- Peppermint Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Grinch Shortbread Bites
- Chocolate Sugar Kiss Cookies
- Frosted Eggnog Cookies
- Lemon Palmiers
- Orange Meltaway Cookies
I’m thrilled to be participating in Christmas Cookies Week – a wonderful collaboration where a group of talented bloggers come together to bake and share all sorts of yummy cookies throughout the week! Discover a long list of other fantastic ideas for your holiday cookie baking below.
Even More Delightful Christmas Treats!
While cookies are an absolute must for any holiday spread, a little candy adds a wonderful variety to your festive dessert tray. Try some of these delightful recipes as you prepare for your holiday baking extravaganzas!
- Cinnamon Rock Candy
- White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
- Bittersweet Chocolate Bourbon Balls
- Grinch Fudge (pictured above)
- Sugared Pecans
Armed with these proven tips and tricks, you are now ready to bake the most incredible spritz cookies you’ve ever tasted! Let the holiday baking begin! 
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Print Recipe
Old Fashioned Spritz Cookies
Old fashioned spritz cookies turn out perfectly each and every time when you follow this classic never fail recipe! Flavored with lemon, but easily adjustable to your flavor liking. Crisp, light and buttery spritz cookies, perfect for any holiday!
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 8 mins Total Time: 13 mins
Course: Cookies | Cuisine: American | Keyword: butter, Christmas cookies, classic, cookie press, how to make spritz cookies, lemon, old fashioned, spritz cookies
Servings: 5 dozen | Calories: 47 kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel
Equipment
- MARCATO Atlas Press, Made in Italy, Includes 20 Cookie Disc Shapes
- Rubber Spatulas
- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
- KitchenAid Hand Mixer
- Glass Batter Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract (can sub almond or vanilla)
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets with Crisco. Place cookie press in the refrigerator.
- With a mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg and extract and beat until mixed well.
- Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Add flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 parts, mixing well after each addition.
- Pack the dough into a chilled cookie press and press them onto the greased cookie sheets.
- Sprinkle with colored sugars or sprinkles.
- Bake for 7 minutes (*see notes) or until they are just barely golden brown on the edges. Cool on wire racks.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Chilling the cookie press has been key to making these cookies work well. Chill the press, not the dough! The dough needs to be tacky to stick to the cookie sheet.
The original recipe says to bake 8-10 minutes. Ovens vary as you know, so watch them and see for yourself how long. I usually pull mine at 7 minutes, because by 8 minutes they are too brown.
Use whatever flavoring you like, we love the lemon! Plus, when I am making up my cookie trays, it’s nice to have a little something lemon on them, with all of the other flavors.
Great make-ahead recipe, they freeze really well!
Nutrition
Serving: 4 | Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 12mg | Sugar: 2g
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