These adorable bite-sized cookies are a holiday favorite! Spritz cookies are sweet and buttery and can be flavored and decorated in so many different ways for any occasion.
Earlier this week I shared my eggnog cookies and old-fashioned peanut butter balls – which may not technically be a cookie, but look so pretty on a cookie platter.
If you’re feeling nostalgic and wanting to make some more old-school favorites, I suggest adding these adorable spritz cookies to your list alongside peanut butter blossoms and gingerbread cookies.
These cookies are so much easier than sugar cookies that you have to roll, cut, and decorate, but they’re still just as pretty and perfect for celebrating any occasion!
What is the difference between spritz and butter cookies? These cookies are nearly identical, except for one ingredient: egg. Egg makes the Spritz cookie dough a bit easier to work with, but it also helps the cookies keep their shape when baked.
Are spritz cookies the same as butter cookies?
Spritz cookies and butter cookies are both considered “crisp” cookies and both have a very butter-forward flavor.
Sometimes you will even see spritz cookie recipes labeled as “spritz butter cookies.”
Traditionally, the difference between the two types of cookies is that spritz cookies contain egg, while butter cookie recipes traditionally only contained flour, butter, and sugar.
These days, you will often see a crossover between the two recipes, with butter cookies sometimes containing eggs or spritz cookies being considered a type of butter cookie.
I tend to agree that spritz cookies are pretty much a butter cookie, but if you’re a traditionalist, just keep in mind that the egg in the recipe is what makes the two cookies different!
Spritz cookies are so much fun to make. Pressing them is almost meditative, and it’s so fun to see how the designs turn out!
They’re also great to make with kids, who will enjoy picking out press designs to try and adding sprinkles and decorations.
The dough for these cookies is very simple. You will need:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract or peppermint extract (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 cups flour
Having soft butter is a key to getting a nicely mixed dough. If you forget to set yours out ahead of time, check out my tips for how to soften butter quickly.
Vanilla is important for enhancing the flavor of the cookies. If you have a favorite bottled brand, use that! Or you can use homemade vanilla extract.
This time of year, I also like to flavor my cookies with a bit of almond extract or peppermint extract for an extra-festive touch. When I make these during the spring, I will sometimes add lemon extract!
In order to make spritz cookies, you will need one specific piece of equipment: a cookie press.
Most cookie presses come with a set of disks in a variety of patterns for different holidays and occasions, but you can also buy sets with other patterns as well. There are tons of options for the winter holidays, but you can get sets for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and everyday.
WHAT ARE SPRITZ COOKIES?
Spritz cookies were all the rage in the ‘80s and ‘90s. These crispy, buttery cookies are made by pressing the dough through a cookie press. The patterned holes in the press form the dough into a design when the press is lifted.
Because the dough does not spread, it holds the shape of the design when the cookies are baked.
That’s right, spritz cookies practically decorate themselves!
These crisp, buttery cookies are sort of a cross between a sugar cookie and shortbread. They are bite-size and perfect for piling onto a platter at the holidays, both because of their poppable size and because of their festive designs.
Spritz cookies can be left as-is or decorated with sprinkles, food coloring, chocolate, or even flavored like these gingerbread spritz cookies.
Mom’s Old-Fashioned Spritz Butter Cookies – the best spritz cookies!
FAQ
Why are they called spritz cookies?
What is the difference between spritz and sugar cookies?
What’s the difference between shortbread and spritz?
Why are my spritz cookies tough?
What is the difference between spritz and butter cookies?
Spritz and butter cookies are very similar, but there is a difference between the two! Spritz cookie dough contains egg and butter cookies do not. You can tell the difference between the two cookies’ textures and crumbs. Great for Christmas: Once the holidays arrive, it’s time to bake, bake, bake!
How do you make Spritz cookies with a cookie press?
The dough comes together in 1 bowl, using a mixer. There is no baking powder or baking soda needed; these buttery spritz cookies are dense, not airy. They hardly spread, so you can fit a bunch onto your baking sheets. Since the cookies are small, you can use 1 batch of dough to make a variety of shapes with your cookie press.
How do you make butter Spritz cookies?
There are two things to do to prep for making these butter spritz cookies: Set out your butter so it comes to room temperature. You don’t want it melted or even too soft. Just room temperature. Place your cookie pans in the freezer. We use non-stick cookie pans, but but regular work well also.
Can spritz cookies be frozen?
Crisp cookies like spritz cookies, butter cookies, and shortbread will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for at least a week. These cookies also freeze well. Add them to an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.