When the holiday season rolls around, there’s a certain charm that comes with baking cookies. Amongst the array of cookie options, spritz cookies stand out not only for their delightful taste but also for their charming shapes and festive decorations. These buttery morsels, often adorned with colorful sprinkles, are a beloved tradition in many households. With their easy preparation and delightful appearance, spritz cookies are perfect for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply indulging yourself.
Why We Love This Spritz Cookies Recipe
There’s something special about spritz cookies that captures the spirit of home baking. They are light, buttery, and have just the right balance of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling overwhelmed. One of the main reasons spritz cookies hold a special place in our hearts is their versatility. You can shape these cookies into various designs using a cookie press, allowing you to create fun holiday-themed shapes like Christmas trees, snowflakes, or simple circles. This feature makes spritz cookies not just delicious but visually appealing too.
Moreover, the recipe comes together quickly. With basic kitchen tools and ingredients that are often on hand, you can whip up a batch of these delightful cookies in no time. Whether you are looking to bake for a party, share treats with neighbors, or simply enjoy them with your family, spritz cookies are sure to please everyone.
Ingredients for Spritz Cookies
To bake your spritz cookies, gather the following ingredients:
- 10 oz (350g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 oz (90g) powdered sugar (+ 1 heaping tablespoon for topping)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons whole milk (full cream milk works best)
- 3 tablespoons baking powder (optional)
- 11 oz (320g) all-purpose flour
- 4 oz (125g) cornstarch (about 1/2 cup + 1/3 cup)
- Holiday-themed sprinkles for decoration
These ingredients come together to create a soft, buttery dough that is perfect for shaping and decorating.
How to Make Spritz Cookies Directions
Making spritz cookies is a straightforward process that rewards you with delicious results. Here’s how to do it:
- Prep the Dough: Begin by taking a large mixing bowl and using either a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream the room temperature butter together with powdered sugar, egg yolk, salt, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, resulting in a lighter cookie.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Once your butter and sugar mixture is fluffy, you can add the whole milk and, if you choose to use it, the baking powder. Mix the dough well until everything is fully combined.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and cornstarch to the mixture. Beat the dough until it reaches a soft, workable consistency that doesn’t stick to your hands.
- Chill the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). While the oven heats up, cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. A chilled dough is easier to work with and will hold its shape better.
- Shape the Cookies: After chilling, transfer the dough to a cookie press. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to choose your desired disk shape, perhaps a festive Christmas tree. Press the cookies onto prepared baking sheets spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Decorate: Before baking, sprinkle the tops of your cookies with holiday-themed sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 15 minutes, or until they turn a very light brown and are cooked through on the inside.
- Cool and Store: Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on a rack before storing them in an airtight container. This cooling process helps them set perfectly.
Enjoy the aroma that fills your kitchen as you bake these delightful cookies!
How to Serve Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. You can serve them on a beautiful platter during holiday gatherings, offering a colorful treat for your guests. Pair them with beverages like hot cocoa, coffee, or chai for a cozy afternoon snack.
If you’re hosting a cookie swap or holiday party, arrange them as part of a dessert table alongside other baked goods. Their whimsical shapes and colors will surely catch the eye and charm your guests. You could also consider packaging them in festive boxes or bags and giving them as gifts to friends and family, adding a personal touch to your holiday cheer.
No matter how you choose to serve them, spritz cookies are a delightful treat that can make any occasion feel special.
Expert Tips for Perfect Spritz Cookies
To ensure that your spritz cookies turn out perfectly, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Starting with butter at room temperature is essential for achieving a creamy and fluffy texture when creaming with sugars.
- Chill the Dough: Allow the dough to chill for the recommended time. Chilling it not only makes it easier to shape but also prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Experiment with Flavors: You can customize your spritz cookies by adding different extracts such as almond, lemon, or peppermint to the dough for unique flavor profiles.
- Alternate Decoration: While holiday sprinkles are a fun option, consider drizzling melted chocolate or adding powdered sugar on top after baking for a different look and taste.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies during baking. Aim for a light golden color, as overbaking can lead to a dry texture to the end product.
With these tips, you’ll be able to impress your family and friends with perfectly baked spritz cookies every time.
How to Store Spritz Cookies
Proper storage of your spritz cookies is crucial to maintaining their taste and texture. After the cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container. This will help keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming stale.
To prolong their freshness, you can separate layers of cookies with parchment paper, which prevents them from sticking together. Store the container in a cool, dry place, and they should remain delicious for up to two weeks.
For longer storage, consider freezing your baked cookies. Lay them flat on a tray without touching and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Variation of Spritz Cookies
While the classic spritz cookie recipe is delightful on its own, you can also play around with the ingredients to create variations that suit different tastes:
- Colorful Holiday Spritz Cookies: Add food coloring to your dough to create vibrant cookies. You can choose to make festive colors like red, green, or even pastel shades for spring celebrations.
- Nutty Spritz Cookies: Incorporate finely chopped nuts such as pistachios or almonds into the dough for added texture and flavor. Just be sure to balance the additions by slightly reducing the flour and cornstarch.
- Chocolate Spritz Cookies: For chocolate lovers, swap a portion of the all-purpose flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. This will create a rich, chocolaty cookie that pairs wonderfully with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Citrus Zest Spritz Cookies: Adding grated citrus zest, such as lemon or orange, can brighten up the cookies and enhance the flavor, making them a refreshing treat.
With these variations, you can adapt this timeless cookie to different occasions and satisfy diverse palates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spritz Cookies
What is the origin of spritz cookies?
Spritz cookies have their roots in Germany and Scandinavia, where they are traditionally baked during the holiday season. Their name comes from the German word “spritzen,” which means “to squirt,” referring to the method of shaping the cookies with a cookie press.
Can I use a piping bag instead of a cookie press?
Yes! If you don’t have a cookie press, a piping bag fitted with a large star or round tip will work as a great alternative. Just ensure to keep the consistency of your dough appropriate for piping.
What can I do if my dough is too soft to press?
If your dough seems too soft, return it to the refrigerator and chill for a bit longer. A good-firm dough is essential for shaping with a cookie press.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While you can use margarine, the flavor and texture may not be as rich and satisfying as using real butter. For best results, stick with unsalted butter.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for a very light brown color on the edges and a slight firmness. The cookies should remain soft in the center but still cooked. Remember, they will firm up as they cool.
Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 10 oz unsalted butter (room temperature) Use room temperature for best results.
- 3 oz powdered sugar (+ 1 heaping tablespoon for topping)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons whole milk Full cream milk works best.
- 3 tablespoons baking powder (optional) Optional for fluffiness.
- 11 oz all-purpose flour
- 4 oz cornstarch About 1/2 cup + 1/3 cup.
Decoration
- Holiday-themed sprinkles For decorating.
Instructions
Preparation
- Cream the room temperature butter together with powdered sugar, egg yolk, salt, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Add whole milk and optional baking powder to the mixture and mix well until fully combined.
- Gradually incorporate all-purpose flour and cornstarch, beating until the dough reaches a soft, workable consistency.
Chilling and Shaping
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Using a cookie press, shape the chilled dough into your desired designs on prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Before baking, sprinkle the tops with holiday-themed sprinkles.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies turn a very light brown.
- Cool on a rack before storing them in an airtight container.
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