Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies are a nostalgic holiday favorite—sweet, buttery bites that melt in your mouth and sparkle with festive sprinkles. These cookies have been gracing Christmas tables for generations, and every batch feels like a warm hug from the holidays.
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What Are Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies?
Spritz cookies are a classic Scandinavian-inspired treat made by pressing buttery dough through a cookie press into beautiful holiday shapes. They’re perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a mug of cocoa by the tree.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Buttery and crisp on the edges, tender in the center.
- So easy—no rolling or cutting required!
- A fun and creative baking project for kids.
- Perfect for gifting and decorating.
- Freeze beautifully for make-ahead holiday prep.
What They Taste Like
Imagine the flavor of a sugar cookie and a shortbread cookie combined—rich, buttery, and slightly sweet, with a delicate vanilla aroma. The sprinkles add the perfect festive crunch!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Assorted colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Tools You’ll Need
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Cookie press
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
Substitutions & Additions
- Almond Extract: Replace half the vanilla for a classic Scandinavian twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle with melted white or dark chocolate.
How to Make Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
- Combine the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—in a separate bowl. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Load the dough into your cookie press fitted with a festive disk (tree, star, snowflake, etc.).
- Press cookies directly onto the ungreased (or parchment-lined) baking sheet. Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles.
- Bake for 7–9 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden.
- Cool completely on wire racks before storing or decorating further.
The kitchen will smell heavenly—that warm buttery aroma will instantly transport you to holiday mornings!
What to Serve with Spritz Cookies
These cookies pair beautifully with:
- A hot mug of homemade cocoa
- A glass of spiced eggnog
- Or alongside your favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge for a festive dessert platter
You can also mix them into a holiday cookie tray with these favorites:
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Room Temperature Butter: It should be soft but not oily.
- Don’t Chill the Dough: It needs to stay soft enough to press.
- Use an Ungreased Pan: Helps the cookies stick and release properly.
- Work Quickly: If dough gets too soft, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze Dough: Roll into logs, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before pressing.
- Freeze Baked Cookies: Layer with parchment in a freezer-safe container; lasts up to 3 months.
General Information
These cookies have roots in Scandinavian holiday traditions, where spritzgebäck (meaning “squirted cookie”) was pressed into intricate shapes using a cookie press. Today, they’re a cherished Christmas staple across the U.S.—a cookie that says, “Home for the holidays.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I color the dough?
Yes! Add gel food coloring before pressing to make festive red or green cookies.
2. My cookies won’t stick to the pan—help!
Try skipping parchment for the first few presses or chilling the baking sheet slightly.
3. Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely. Make and freeze the dough or baked cookies up to 3 months ahead.
4. What if I don’t have a cookie press?
You can pipe the dough with a star tip or roll and slice it like shortbread.
Conclusion
These Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies are the heart of holiday baking—simple, elegant, and oh-so-buttery. They’re a joy to make, share, and of course, eat.
If you love this recipe, try my Holiday Peanut Butter Blossoms or Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing next!
Interactive Element
Did you make these cookies? 🎅
Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite spritz cookie shape!
Share your photo on Pinterest @poulefrecipe and tag me—I’d love to see your holiday creations!
Nutritional Information (per cookie)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 |
| Fat | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sodium | 45mg |
Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies – Buttery, Festive, and Irresistible!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies are buttery, festive, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, and gifting! This traditional recipe makes a big batch and can be customized with your favorite colors and sprinkles.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Assorted colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6. Load the dough into a cookie press fitted with your favorite holiday disk (tree, star, or snowflake).
7. Press cookies directly onto the baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
8. Decorate each cookie with colored sugar or sprinkles.
9. Bake for 7–9 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden.
10. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Store in an airtight container or freeze for later use.
Notes
Make sure your butter is at room temperature—soft enough to press easily but not greasy.
If the dough is too soft, chill it for 5–10 minutes before pressing.
You can tint the dough with red or green gel food coloring for a festive touch.
Try adding a hint of almond extract for a Scandinavian-style twist.
These cookies freeze beautifully—perfect for make-ahead Christmas baking!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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Gianna Poulef
I’m Gianna Poulef from Poulef Recipes. I love sharing perfected dishes from my kitchen. I’m sure they’ll earn a spot in your heart. Let’s savor this journey together!.
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