The Best Spritz Cookies
I’ve been making Spritz cookies for many many years now and they are a favorite around Christmas. I love them because they all look pretty and they are so simple to make you really can’t mess up. Not only that but everyone thinks you slaved in your kitchen for hours making these. With their buttery flavor and great texture, they are a fantastic mix to include with my Christmas cookie gift giving boxes. The cookie press makes the most delightful little shapes that are so cute but also really professional looking.
Spritz Cookie Highlights
HOLIDAY FAVORITE. Everyone loves cookies and these are another alternative to add to your Holiday baking recipes. Trust me, they will impress everyone. EASY TO MAKE. These are really easy to make and only require some mixing of ingredients, and then pressing the cookies on a sheet pan. No chilling required, so not only are they easy to make they are also pretty fast! PANTRY STAPLES. You will only need a few basic pantry staples, with some vanilla and almond flavorings. FUN TO DECORATE. Get the kids involved in this fun loving activity that’s enjoyed by everyone. If you’re short on time, no worries, they are still great even if you’re not decorating them. For something quicker, melt some chocolate and dip them in it. DELICIOUS. Yes, so delicious! They are way up there with some of my favorite cookies, especially dipped in chocolate!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Flour – Almost all cookies need flour and these are no exception. No fancy flour required, I use plain white all-purpose flour. Salt – Believe me, salt makes all the difference, so don’t skip this! Butter – I use 3 sticks of unsalted butter, and softened to room temperature. If you use salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe. Sugar – Use plain white granulated sugar which is mixed with the butter until light and fluffy. Eggs – A couple of eggs are used, either white or brown, your preference. Almond – Almond extract amps of the flavor of this traditional cookie. Vanilla – Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the recipe.
How To Make Spritz Cookies
Make The Dough
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the dry ingredients: Add the flour, salt to a medium size bowl and mix to combine. Cream the butter and sugar together: Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of your mixer and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, almond and vanilla extract and mix well. Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture at medium speed until combined.
Press Cookies And Bake
Press the cookies: Attach the desired disks to the cookie press and fill it with dough. Press cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool and decorate: Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Decorate if desired. My favorite way to decorate them is to melt some milk chocolate or white chocolate chips in 2 separate microwavable bowls until smooth. Then all you have to do is dip them in the chocolate half way and if you prefer, sprinkle them with some sprinkles.
What Are Spritz Cookies?
Spritz cookies are actually a type of German Christmas cookie made of flour, butter, sugar and eggs called Spritzgeback. The word spritz originated from the German word, “spritzen,” which means “to squirt” in English.
What Is The Difference Between Spritz And Shortbread Cookies?
Spritz cookies are baked straight away, with no additional rolling or chilling, giving them a more tender crumb and no cookie cutter is required. Shortbread, on the other hand, develop a crisp snap, thanks to gluten produced during the rolling and shaping steps.
Can You Refrigerate Spritz Cookie Dough Overnight?
Make Ahead Instructions: You can chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before pressing the dough through the cookie press, just bring it to room temperature first. You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months; allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before continuing.
What Is The Trick To Making Spritz Cookies?
The best method is to add the flour and mix it but stopping as soon as no dry flour remains. The final trick comes when you’re actually pressing the cookies out using your spritz cookie press. Working directly on a baking sheet, and making sure that the baking sheet is cold, as this will help the dough stick to the pan.
How Can I Decorate These Cookies?
Glaze or pipe the cookies with some frosting or icing, decorate with sprinkles, dip in melted chocolate by itself or roll in crushed nuts. As a treat, add some edible pre-made decorations. You can always enjoy them plain as well.
What Is An Example Of A Pressed Cookie?
Pressed cookies are made from a soft dough that is extruded from a cookie press (cookie gun) or pastry tip (tube) into various decorative shapes. Spritz (Spritzgebäck) and sandwich cookies are typical examples of a pressed cookie.
Expert Tips
Leftovers
Layer these delicate cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container. The cookies will stay fresh at room temperature or in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Spritz cookies freeze very well. To freeze, allow the cookies to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container (or an airtight freezer Ziploc bag). Store in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.
More Terrific Recipes To Try
The Perfect Shortbread CookiesChocolate Sugar CookiesPeanut Butter BlossomsOvernight Breakfast CasseroleLemon Shortbread CookiesSugar CookiesPineapple Coconut Crescents
