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Best Spritz Cookie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 147 reviews

Classic buttery spritz cookies with a delicate almond flavor and customizable colors, perfect for festive occasions and holiday baking. These crisp, pressed cookies are easy to make using a cookie press and can be decorated with colored sugar or sprinkles and an optional almond glaze for an elegant finish.

Ingredients

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Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • Colored sugar (optional)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Glaze (Optional)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Chill Pans: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place two light-colored baking sheets in the fridge or freezer to chill if you have the space. This helps the cookies keep their shape when pressed and baked.
  2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the cold salted butter until it’s completely smooth with no lumps. If using a hand mixer, let the butter soften for a few minutes before beating. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add Sugar and Salt: Add the granulated sugar and kosher salt to the butter. Beat for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, scraping the bowl as needed.
  4. Incorporate Egg and Almond Extract: Beat in the large egg and almond extract until fully incorporated, creating a smooth batter.
  5. Add Gel Food Coloring: If using colors, add gel food coloring now and mix thoroughly. Remember the color will deepen as you add flour and over time, so make it slightly more intense than your desired final shade.
  6. Add Flour: Spoon and level the all-purpose flour into the bowl. Beat the dough just until the flour disappears and the dough is combined, being careful not to overmix to avoid tough cookies.
  7. Prepare the Cookie Press: Set up your cookie press according to its instructions with the desired metal disc shape. Shape a handful of room temperature dough into a cylinder and feed it into the press all the way. Screw on the top securely.
  8. Press Cookies onto Chilled Sheets: Press the cookies onto the chilled baking sheets, placing each cookie close to the previous one. These cookies do not spread much, so spacing can be minimal.
  9. Shape Control: Press out the smallest amount of dough possible for well-defined shapes. Thicker cookies will puff more in the oven, distorting their design.
  10. Optional Decorating Before Baking: You may sprinkle colored sanding sugar on top of the cookies before baking if desired, though this can lead to pooled sugar on edges.
  11. Bake: Bake the cookies at 375°F for about 6 minutes. Thinner or delicate shapes may need only 5 minutes while larger cookies can take up to 7 minutes. The cookies are done when edges are slightly firm and no longer shiny, but not browned. Remove immediately if any browning occurs.
  12. Cool: Let the cookies set on the pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  13. Prepare Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, corn syrup, almond extract, and 1 tablespoon milk. Add more milk to reach a thin glaze consistency.
  14. Glaze and Decorate: Once cookies are cool, brush each lightly with glaze using a pastry brush. Alternative brushes include water or corn syrup. Sprinkle with sanding sugar or sprinkles and allow glaze to set on the rack.
  15. Storage: Store spritz cookies in a well-covered container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
  16. Freezing: These cookies freeze well. Store in a sealed container and thaw at room temperature before serving. They also pair delightfully with hot chocolate.

Notes

  • Use cold butter for best results with a stand mixer; softened butter works with a hand mixer.
  • Do not overmix after adding flour to keep cookies tender, not tough.
  • Chilling baking sheets helps maintain cookie shape and prevents spreading.
  • Adjust baking time based on cookie thickness and shape to avoid browning.
  • Glaze is optional but adds a lovely almond flavor and decorative finish.
  • Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles either before or after baking depending on preference.
  • Spritz cookies should not brown; remove from oven once edges set and shine disappears.
  • Cookies keep well at room temperature and can be frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: spritz cookies, almond cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, cookie press recipes, butter cookies

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