Christmas Spritz Cookies Recipe
Delight in these festive Christmas Spritz Cookies, featuring buttery, tender dough pressed into charming holiday shapes, colored with vibrant green hues, and topped with cheerful Christmas sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or a joyful baking activity with family.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Coloring & Decoration
- Leaf Green gel food coloring (a few drops)
- Forest Green gel food coloring (a few drops)
- Christmas sprinkles, for topping
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and kosher salt until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, followed by pure vanilla and almond extracts, blending them thoroughly into the creamed mixture for rich flavor.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously until a smooth and cohesive cookie dough forms without streaks of flour.
- Divide Dough: Split the dough evenly into three separate bowls to prepare for coloring variations.
- Color Dough: Add a few drops of leaf green gel food coloring to one bowl and mix until evenly tinted; similarly, add forest green gel food coloring to the second bowl and mix well. Leave the third bowl of dough uncolored.
- Use Cookie Press: Load one portion of dough at a time into your cookie press. If you’re unfamiliar with this tool, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to press the dough into festive shapes onto the lined cookie sheets.
- Decorate Cookies: Immediately after pressing, sprinkle Christmas-themed sprinkles on top to add a festive touch and extra sweetness.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn lightly golden and the cookies appear set and firm.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before gently removing them to avoid breakage. Enjoy your beautifully shaped and colorful Christmas Spritz Cookies!
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted to create the perfect dough texture.
- If you don’t have gel food coloring, liquid food coloring can be used but may thin the dough slightly.
- Make sure to clean the cookie press between colors to prevent color bleeding.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Feel free to experiment with other festive food colorings and sprinkles to customize your cookies.
Keywords: Christmas cookies, spritz cookies, butter cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies, cookie press, almond extract cookies