Holiday Spritz Cookies: Your Guide to Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Delights
Holiday Spritz Cookies are a cherished family favorite, destined to become a staple in your annual baking tradition. The exquisite blend of almond and vanilla flavors infuses these buttery cookies with an irresistible quality, making them truly melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Before you realize it, you might find yourself reaching for another, and another, until a whole dozen has vanished!
The holiday season brings with it a symphony of joyful traditions, and for many, that includes the heartwarming aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air. This year, the excitement reached a peak as it was finally time for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap! Participating in this incredibly delightful event for my second year, I can confidently say it has only grown sweeter. It’s an annual tradition that connects food bloggers through the universal language of delicious homemade treats, fostering community and spreading cheer, one cookie box at a time.
The Allure of Spritz Cookies: Why They’re a Holiday Must-Have
I had been eagerly anticipating this year’s cookie swap for a very special reason: I finally acquired a cookie press, a thoughtful gift from my brother! This game-changing kitchen gadget opened up a world of baking possibilities, and I knew immediately that spritz cookies would be my contribution to the holiday exchange. In fact, I’d been planning this since October! Spritz cookies are the perfect choice for several compelling reasons: the dough comes together in a flash, and the finished cookies travel exceptionally well, making them ideal for sending to friends and family near and far. Their delicate, crisp texture and beautiful shapes also make them stand out on any holiday cookie platter.
What truly elevates these buttery cookies is their subtle yet distinct almond and vanilla flavor profile. This classic combination creates an utterly addictive taste that leaves you craving more. It’s a flavor that evokes warmth, comfort, and all the magic of the holiday season, making them impossible to resist. These aren’t just cookies; they’re tiny bursts of festive joy that disappear almost as quickly as they’re made!
Mastering the Cookie Press for Perfect Shapes
Spritz cookies, whose name comes from the German word “spritzen,” meaning “to squirt,” are traditionally made using a cookie press. This simple tool allows you to create intricate, uniform shapes with ease, transforming a humble cookie dough into edible works of art. If you’re new to using a cookie press, don’t be intimidated! It’s a straightforward process that yields beautiful results every time. The key is to have your dough at the right consistency – not too soft, not too firm – and to use an ungreased cookie sheet. The dough needs a surface to grip onto as it’s pressed out, so parchment paper or greased sheets can make it difficult for the shapes to adhere properly.
The beauty of the cookie press lies in its versatility. Most presses come with a variety of interchangeable discs, offering endless possibilities for festive designs. From classic stars and wreaths to more elaborate trees and snowflakes, you can customize your spritz cookies to suit any holiday theme. Once pressed, a sprinkle of colorful holiday sprinkles before baking adds that extra touch of sparkle and cheer, making them even more appealing. These small details are what make spritz cookies a truly special addition to any holiday celebration.
The Spirit of Sharing: Holiday Cookie Exchanges and Gifting
Beyond their delightful taste and charming appearance, spritz cookies are also incredibly practical for holiday gifting and cookie swaps. Their sturdy yet delicate structure means they travel exceptionally well, making them perfect for shipping to loved ones who live far away or for bringing to a festive gathering. Simply box them up in an airtight container, and they’re all set to spread joy. This ease of transport, combined with their crowd-pleasing flavor, makes them a go-to choice for any holiday baking endeavor.
The tradition of a cookie exchange is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. It’s a wonderful way to connect with fellow bakers and sample a variety of treats that you might not otherwise make. The past few weeks leading up to the swap were a bit stressful and overwhelming, so this entire cookie exchange was timed perfectly to lift my spirits and bring some much-needed cheer. Receiving a package filled with homemade cookies feels like a warm hug, and it’s a reminder of the generosity and kindness that defines this time of year.
I must extend a huge thank you to the three lovely food bloggers who sent me delicious treats this season! I was absolutely thrilled to receive Almond Joy Cookies from I Was Born To Cook and rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies from Bethcakes. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been in absolute cookie heaven, savoring every bite. These exchanges are not just about the cookies; they’re about the joy of connection and the shared passion for baking that brings us all together.
Tips for Flawless Spritz Cookie Baking
Achieving bakery-worthy spritz cookies at home is simpler than you might think. Here are a few essential tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:
- Dough Consistency is Key: The dough should be soft enough to press easily but firm enough to hold its shape. If your dough is too warm, the shapes might not adhere to the baking sheet. If it’s too cold, it will be difficult to press. If it feels too stiff, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
- Ungreased Baking Sheets: This is crucial! Spritz cookie dough needs to “stick” to the baking sheet to form defined shapes. Greased sheets or parchment paper will cause the dough to lift when you remove the press.
- Even Baking: Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for even heat distribution. This prevents one side from browning too quickly.
- Don’t Overbake: Spritz cookies are meant to be light and delicate. They should be just barely golden at the edges. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly instead of melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Creative Decorating: While sprinkles are classic, consider other decorations! After baking and cooling, you can drizzle them with melted white chocolate, dip them in colored glazes, or add edible glitter for extra holiday pizzazz. You can also divide the dough and add food coloring to create vibrant, multi-colored cookies.
- Storage: Once cooled completely, store spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for longer storage.
Note: for this recipe, you will need a cookie press – see below for a link to a recommended model.
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This Recipe’s Must Haves
- Wilton Preferred Press Cookie Press: An essential tool for creating beautifully shaped spritz cookies with minimal effort.
- KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: Makes mixing the buttery dough quick and effortless, ensuring perfect consistency.
- Nordic Ware Prism 3 Piece Baking Sheet Set: High-quality baking sheets are crucial for even baking and preventing sticking.
Don’t forget to pin this delightful Holiday Spritz Cookie recipe for easy access later! It’s one you’ll want to revisit year after year.
Holiday Spritz Cookies
10 minutes
12 minutes
22 minutes
4 to 5 dozen cookies
ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Holiday sprinkles
instructions
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1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Ensure your baking sheets are clean, dry, and ungreased.
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2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the softened unsalted butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating until well combined. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
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3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer, beating on low speed until just combined and a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
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4. Fit your cookie press with your desired decorative disc. Fill the cookie press barrel with the dough. On an clean, dry, and cooled cookie sheet (ungreased is key!), press the shapes out, spacing them about 1-inch apart from each other. If the shapes don’t release cleanly, your dough might be too cold; let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Sprinkle with festive holiday sprinkles immediately after pressing.
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5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just lightly golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your cookies. Do not overbake to maintain their delicate texture.
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6. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a couple of minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cooled Holiday Spritz Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cookies, Holiday Baking, Christmas Cookies
We hope these detailed instructions and tips help you create the most delightful Holiday Spritz Cookies this season. They are truly a joy to bake and even more so to share. Happy baking!