Spritz Cookie Recipe

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This Spritz Cookie Recipe makes lightly sweet butter cookies that are pressed into all kinds of fun little shapes. Leave them plain or decorate with sprinkles and sanding sugar for extra sparkle. Bake up a batch of Christmas spritz cookies for a cookie swap or holiday treat!

titled: Spritz Cookies Recipe


 

There’s nothing more fun than tiny, buttery bites in the shapes of stars, wreaths, or even Christmas trees.

A lightly crisp exterior gives way to melt-in-your-mouth sweetness — you won’t be able to stop at just one!

Enjoy Italian spritz cookies plain or add a little dazzle with your favorite frosting and sprinkles.

Italian wedding cookies are just as simple to make as this spritz cookie recipe. Plus, you won’t even need any special tools!

And you can never go wrong with a classic sugar cookie party! Set the kids loose with bowls of colored frosting while the adults try their hand at icing more intricate designs.

overhead: red and green buttons scattered among spritz cookie ingredients

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Salted Butter – I know, I know. You always hear me say to use unsalted sticks, but this spritz cookies recipe is a bit different.

    We need the extra flavor while ensuring every last grain is properly dissolved — otherwise, the treats will taste salty.
  • Flour – All-purpose is perfect! If you need a gluten-free version of these treats, any 1:1 all-purpose blend should work.
  • Sugar – Regular granulated white sugar is all you need. Coconut sugar is a suitable substitute but the color of your cookies may be a bit darker.

    However, don’t try to substitute brown sugar — the dough will be too soft.
  • Vanilla Extract – Since this spritz cookies recipe is so simple, use the highest quality extract you can get.

    Or, replace the vanilla extract with something a little more fun — lemon, peppermint, or even maple would be delicious.
overhead: spritz cookie dough in stand mixer bowl

Tips for Making Italian Spritz Cookies

  • Use room temperature ingredients.

I cannot stress enough how important this is! The butter should be very soft and the eggshells should no longer feel cool to the touch.

Let both sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes before you start this spritz cookie recipe.

  • Don’t grease your pans.

The dough needs to grip the surface so it doesn’t spread. If you’re concerned about sticking, add a layer of parchment instead.

  • Want some color?

Use gel food coloring to change the hue of your Italian spritz cookies without changing the consistency of the dough.

It’s more concentrated than liquid, so start with just a drop or two and add more if needed.

pressed cookies on baking sheet next to cookie press

No holiday cookie is complete without a little sparkle!

Decorate the tops of each spritz cookie with colorful sprinkles or sanding sugar before they go in the oven. This way, they will be nestled into the dough and won’t fall off.

For a more sophisticated look, dip half of each spritz cookie in candy melts — you could choose different colors to match the occasion!

Or, add a simple drizzle of chocolate or royal icing for an extra sweet touch.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

pressed snowflake cookies on baking sheet

Spritz Cookies Recipe FAQ

Why is it called a spritz cookie?

The name “spritz” comes from the German word spritzen which means “to squirt” — an apt name because the dough is squirted or pushed through the cookie press!

It’s the only way to get those signature, intricate designs while ensuring the dough holds together when baked.

Should you chill the dough for Christmas spritz cookies?

There are differing opinions on this, so you can certainly test it out either way. The logic is that the dough is more likely to hold its pressed shape when the butter is soft, so it shouldn’t be chilled first.

Can I halve this spritz cookie recipe?

While 10 dozen treats may seem like a lot, keep in mind that these are much smaller than regular cookies.

You can still cut the ingredients by half for a smaller batch or if you want to test out the recipe first to get a feel for it.

Storing Christmas Spritz Cookies

Once cooled, pressed cookies will keep at room temperature for 3 to 4 days before they get stale or soft.

They will absorb moisture from the air, so be sure to keep them in an airtight container. Add parchment between layers if you decorate them with icing so they don’t stick together.

You can also freeze spritz cookies for up to a month! Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until firm, about an hour. Then, transfer to an airtight storage container — freezer bags won’t protect the delicate cookies well enough.

spritz cookies in a Christmas tin

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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close up: holiday tin full of decorated spritz cookies

christmas tree shaped cookies on platter

Spritz Cookie Recipe

Donna Elick
This Spritz Cookie Recipe combines simple ingredients to make lightly sweet butter cookies pressed into all kinds of fun little shapes!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 120 cookies

Ingredients
 

  • 1 1/2 cups salted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • Sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition then add the vanilla.
  • Slowly add the flour with the mixer beating on low speed, beating until well incorporated.
  • Use a rubber spatula to transfer the dough to a spritz cookie press fitted with the desired disk. Press dough out onto an ungreased baking sheet. Add sprinkles before baking if desired.
  • Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until the cookies are barely golden around the edges.
  • Cool completely before icing, if desired.

Donna’s Notes

Keep plain or add sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, dip in candy melts, or add royal icing.
These cookies are lightly sweet butter cookies.
Feel free to use a fun flavor extract to change the flavor.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 43cal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 24mg | Sugar: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled image (and shown): spritz cookies recipe

Originally published November 2021, updated and republished December 2023

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9 Comments

    1. Hi Diana,
      Sure you can! Just use a pastry bag and a star tip to make beautiful spritz cookies. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
      TSRI Team Member,
      Holli

    1. Hi Terry,
      Of course you can! They would be delicious! Enjoy and let us know how it goes!
      TSRI Team Member,
      Holli

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