Holiday Spritz Cookies
When the holidays roll around, there’s nothing quite like the joy of baking cookies to fill your home with warmth and sweet aromas. Holiday Spritz Cookies are not only beautiful to behold but also incredibly fun to make.
The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of these cookies, combined with the festive colors of sugar sprinkles, makes them a perfect treat for family gatherings or holiday celebrations. Gather the kids, put on some holiday music, and get ready to create delicious memories together!
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: 150
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 100mg
Why I Love This Holiday Spritz Cookies
These Holiday Spritz Cookies hold a special place in my heart for many reasons. Growing up, my family always decorated cookies together during the holidays, and these spritz cookies were a major highlight. They’re so easy to whip up, but it’s the creative aspect of pressing them into fun shapes and adding colorful decorations that really makes it enjoyable. I love how each batch can look different, turning baking into a mini art project. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing with friends and neighbors. There’s just something about the buttery richness and dreamy texture that brings smiles all around!
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
How to Make Holiday Spritz Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the cookies bake evenly and achieve that lovely golden color.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is key for getting that light texture in your cookies.
Step 3: Add the Flavors
Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts, allowing their wonderful aromas to fill your kitchen. This adds a delightful depth of flavor that makes these cookies extra special.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients, which is vital for the perfect cookie texture.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until everything is well combined. The dough should be thick and workable, perfect for the cookie press.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Fill a cookie press with the dough. Press the dough onto ungreased cookie sheets in your desired shapes. Get creative with different designs!
Step 7: Decorate
Sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles over the unbaked cookies. This is the best part—let your imagination run wild!
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; they bake quickly!
Step 9: Cool on Racks
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on wire racks. This is a crucial step, as it helps them firm up and attain that perfect texture.
Tips & Variations
- Use a Variety of Cookie Press Shapes: From hearts to stars, let your creativity shine with different designs. This makes them even more festive!
- Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too soft to work with, chilling it for 30 minutes helps firm it up for easier pressing.
- Flavor Variations: For a twist, try adding other extracts like lemon or peppermint to suit your holiday preferences.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a delightful gluten-free treat.
Delicious Variations
- Classic Sugar Cookies: Another holiday favorite that’s simple and sweet, perfect for decorating.
- Peppermint Bark Cookies: Chocolate cookies topped with a layer of peppermint bark for that holiday flair.
- Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced and aromatic, these cookies are perfect for a festive cookie platter.
- Linzer Cookies: Classic jam-filled cookies that are great for a holiday gathering!
Serving Suggestions for Holiday Spritz Cookies
These delightful cookies are best served fresh and slightly warm, allowing their buttery goodness to shine.
They’re perfect as a midday treat with a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, pair them with hot cocoa or warm apple cider during holiday gatherings. Consider showcasing them on a decorative platter alongside some gingerbread cookies for a beautiful dessert table.
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, making them an excellent make-ahead treat for your holiday festivities.
If you’d like to keep them longer, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Just be sure to separate layers of cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Helpful Questions
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine can be used, but for the best flavor and texture, I recommend using unsalted butter.Do I need a special tool to make spritz cookies?
While a cookie press works best for this recipe, you can also use piping bags if you’re feeling adventurous!Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 3 days before pressing and baking.What can I use if I don’t have almond extract?
You can substitute with more vanilla extract or use hazelnut extract for a unique spin.Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This could be due to warm dough. If you experience this, try chilling the dough before pressing.
Now, get your aprons on and let’s create some unforgettable Holiday Spritz Cookies that your family and friends will love! Happy baking!
Print
Holiday Spritz Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously buttery cookies that are fun to make and perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
- Fill a cookie press with the dough and press it onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles over the unbaked cookies.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on wire racks.
Notes
Consider chilling the dough if it’s too soft to work with. Use different cookie press shapes for a festive look.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
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