Autumn Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These Autumn Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies are buttery, tender, and full of seasonal charm. With a creamy texture from the cream cheese and festive colored sugar toppings, they’re perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy fall afternoons.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Colored sugar in orange, yellow, red, and green
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Cut the cold butter into small cubes for easy mixing.
- Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cubed butter and softened cream cheese. Mix on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute.
- Step 3: Increase mixer speed to medium and add the egg yolk. Gradually add the sugar while mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the vanilla extract and mix well to combine all flavors.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Scrape down the bowl as needed and continue mixing until the dough is fully incorporated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Step 6: Place the prepared dough in a cookie press fitted with your preferred disk shape. Press the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.
- Step 7: Sprinkle the cookies with the assorted colored sugars to add a festive touch.
- Step 8: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even browning. The edges should turn golden brown when ready.
- Step 9: Use a spatula to carefully transfer the hot cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients to enhance the autumnal feel.
- If you don’t have a cookie press, you can roll the dough into balls and flatten slightly before sprinkling colored sugar.
- Colored sugar can be replaced with finely chopped nuts or sprinkles for a different texture and look.
Storage
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to three months. Reheat briefly in a low oven to regain softness before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use softened butter instead of cold butter?
Cold butter helps create a firmer dough that’s easier to press, but you can use softened butter if needed. The texture might be a bit softer, so chill the dough briefly before pressing for best results.
Is cream cheese necessary in this recipe?
The cream cheese adds tenderness and a subtle tangy flavor to the cookies. Omitting it will change the texture and taste, so it’s best to include it for the authentic version of these spritz cookies.
PrintAutumn Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Delight in the festive flavors and creamy texture of Autumn Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies. These buttery, tender cookies feature a perfect balance of cream cheese richness and sweet vanilla, finished with colorful autumn-inspired sugar sprinkles. Easy to make with a cookie press and ideal for sharing during seasonal gatherings or holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Topping
- Colored sugar in orange, yellow, red, and green
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it’s at the ideal temperature when the cookies are ready to bake.
- Prepare Butter and Cream Cheese: Cut the cold butter into small cubes. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cubed butter and softened cream cheese. Mix on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute.
- Add Egg Yolk: Increase the mixer speed to medium and add the egg yolk, ensuring it is incorporated evenly into the mixture.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the sugar while mixing, continuing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
- Mix in Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly to distribute the flavor throughout the dough.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt to remove lumps and evenly distribute the salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and mix until the dough is fully combined, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Shape Cookies: Place the dough into a cookie press fitted with your preferred disk shape. Press the dough out onto an ungreased baking sheet to form the cookies.
- Add Colored Sugar: Sprinkle the pressed cookies generously with assorted autumn-colored sugars (orange, yellow, red, and green) to add festive color and a sweet crunch.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
- Cool the Cookies: Once baked, use a spatula to carefully transfer the hot cookies to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely for a few minutes before enjoying.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is softened but not melted to maintain the dough’s consistency.
- Do not grease the baking sheet; these cookies release easily and maintain their shape better on ungreased pans.
- Colored sugars can be omitted or replaced with sprinkles for alternative decorative effects.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to preserve freshness.
- If you don’t have a cookie press, you can pipe the dough onto the baking sheet using a large star-tip piping bag.
Keywords: autumn cookies, cream cheese spritz, fall baking, holiday cookies, butter cookies, festive cookies
