Robyn Stone
Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are delicious cookies that are easy and fun to make! Perfect for special occasions and holidays, these are festive favorites!
Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are such festive and delicious cookies! These cookies are buttery, easy to make and hold their shape well. They differ from cut out sugar cookies, which are rolled and cut into shapes with cookie cutters, in that they are typically piped through a cookie press. But I share how to make them even if you don’t have one.
One thing about these cookies that everyone loves is decorating them! I like to decorate mine with a simple glaze and sprinkles. These classic buttery cookies make for a favorite cookie throughout the year, but especially during Christmas on a Christmas Cookie Tray! I can’t wait for you to try them!
Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
How to Make Buttery Spritz Cookies
The spritz cookie dough comes together very, very quickly and is so easy to use.
To make these cookies, you’ll need:
- Butter – these have such a buttery flavor that makes them so special!
- Egg – this helps to hold cookie together and is a major difference between these and shortbread cookies, which are don’t have egg and has more crumbly texture
- Confectioner’s Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Vanilla Extract – I like to use my homemade version, but you can use any vanilla extract you choose
- Almond Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
To make the cookies, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Mix together the softened butter and confectioner’s sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in egg, salt, and both extracts. Then gradually add the flour into the mixture until combined, taking care to not over mix.
Traditionally made with a cookie press, you can make spritz cookies in any shape available for your cookie press. You’ll follow the directions for your cookie press to load the dough and then, press cookies onto a rimmed baking sheet, leaving about 1 1/2 – 2 inches between each cookie. They bake in about 6 to 8 minutes and you’ll want to remove them from the oven just before they turn golden brown. The cookies are tender, buttery and absolutely scrumptious!
How to Make Spritz Cookies Recipe Without a Cookie Press
While spritz cookies are traditionally made using a cookie press, you can easily make them without. Simply scoop dough by the teaspoon, roll into a ball and place onto a rimmed baking sheet. Gently press your thumb into the center for thumbprints or with your palm or the bottom of a glass to flatten, and then bake as directed. Alternately, you may lightly dust counter with confectioner’s sugar and cut cookies with small cookie cutters and bake as directed.
To make the Spritz Cookies Glaze, you’ll need:
- Confectioner’s Sugar
- Milk or Half and Half
- Sugar Sprinkles for Decoration
To glaze the cookies, arrange a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar and milk or half and half until well combined. After the cookies have cooled, dip each cookie into the glaze and return to the wire rack. Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles and allow them to dry completely.
How to Freeze Spritz Cookies
You can either freeze cookies after they are baked (plain or glazed) or freeze the cookies prior to baking.
Freeze the Baked Cookies:
To Freeze Prior to Glazing:
Cool the baked cookies completely, cover the cookies on the baking sheet with foil or plastic freezer wrap, and place in the freezer. Once the cookies have frozen solid, about 30 minutes, remove from the baking sheet and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Place on wire rack and follow directions for the Spritz Cookie Glaze.
To Freeze After Glazing:
Allow the glaze and any other decorations on the cookies to dry completely, place the cookies on a rimmed baking sheet, cover in foil or plastic freezer wrap, and place in the freezer. After the cookies are frozen solid about 30 minutes, remove from the baking sheet and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Serve once the cookies are completely thawed.
To Freeze Prior to Baking:
Place the cookies on the baking sheet, cover in foil or plastic freezer wrap and place in the freezer. Once the cookies are frozen solid, about 30 minutes, remove from the freezer, and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, thaw completely in the refrigerator. Then follow instructions for baking and glazing the cookies.
While they are amazing without any adornment, they look even more festive with a little bit of sugar sprinkles to add a bit of flair. Many times, I just sprinkle mine with colored sugar sprinkles, but I absolutely love to use the cookie glaze topped with sprinkles to make them even more special!
Perfect for Gifting
These make a great gift to give friends, family and neighbors, especially during the holidays! A nice cookie tray filled with cookies and homemade candy makes a thoughtful and much appreciated gift. I get a head start by baking my Make Ahead Favorite Christmas Cookies so that I can enjoy the Christmas season too!
Here’s my Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies recipe. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Buttery Spritz Cookies
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 cups confectioner sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Spritz Cookies Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or half and half
- sugar sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Buttery Spritz Cookies
- Preheat oven to 375º F.
- Mix together butter and confectioner's sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in egg, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually incorporate flour until well combined, taking care not to over mix.
- Place in a cookie press fitted with your choice of disc. Press cookies through cookie press onto baking sheet, leaving about 1 1/2 - 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes and then remove from the oven to cool completely.
Spritz Cookies Glaze
- Arrange a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Whisk together confectioner's sugar and milk until well combined and smooth in a small bowl. Once cookies are cooled, dip each cookie into the glaze and place on the wire rack. Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles as desired and allow to dry completely.
Notes
To Freeze Unbaked Cookies:
Place the cookies on the baking sheet, cover in foil or plastic freezer wrap and place in the freezer. Once the cookies are frozen solid, about 30 minutes, remove from the freezer, and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, follow the instructions for baking and glazing the cookies.Freeze the Baked Cookies:
Freeze Before Glazing Cookies: Cool the baked cookies completely, cover the cookies on the baking sheet with foil or plastic freezer wrap, and place in the freezer. Once the cookies have frozen solid, about 30 minutes, remove from the baking sheet and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Place on wire rack and follow directions for the Spritz Cookie Glaze. Freeze After Glazing Cookies: Allow the glaze on the cookies to dry completely, place the cookies on a rimmed baking sheet, cover in foil or plastic freezer wrap, and freeze. After the cookies are frozen solid in about 30 minutes, remove from the baking sheet and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Serve once the cookies are completely thawed.Enjoy!
Robyn xo
The other recipes I have come across ask for sugar in the recipe not confectioner’s sugar. So I just want to confirm 1 1/4 cup for the recipe. I cant wait to try these today.
Hi Christine!
Yes, the recipe is correct – it’s confectioners sugar. Hope you enjoy them! They are delicious!
Sounds delicious! Will be making these next week with my new cookie press. Can the confectioners sugar be replaced with equal amounts granulated sugar? Just curious.
Hi Danielle,
Granulated sugar will change the texture of the cookies. I suggest using confectioners as in the recipe.
I hope you enjoy that new cookie press and these cookies! Thanks!
Hi, I was wondering if you use salted or unsalted butter for these…
Hi Kim,
I use salted butter. Enjoy! Thanks
I’m allergic to eggs. When you made without the egg, did you substitute anything else or use the recipe as written. Can’t wait to try them.
Hi Babs, I was looking for the origanl recipe because of an egg allergy in my house. I found the ingredients list on yummly. It’s the the same measurements for all the ingredients, minus the egg. (I hope it’s correct) when you click for instructions, you get routed back to this page though, so I hope the baking temp and time are the same.
AT last!! A butter cookie that rolls out nicely and does not melt down in the oven. Ty Ty!!
Yay, Pam! Aren’t these delicious?! I am so happy you enjoy them!!! Thanks! xo
Although the cookies were good I found the icing needed much more liquid to make glaze. I ended up making extra glaze to have enough to cover all cookies Overall rate this 3./5.
Hi Nancy,
I’ve never had the problem of this not having enough glaze…this is not a thick frosting, it is a thin glaze. You can always make more of the glaze if you like it thicker. Thanks!
I am going to try these today but I wanted to confirm… there is no levening in this recipe such as baking powder or baking soda ? Thank you ! Merry Christmas!
Hi Stephanie –
Correct – the ingredients in the recipe are all you will need. I hope you enjoy them! xo
Hi, I have the same question as Babs. originally saved this recipe because it was egg free. This was one of the cookies my family loved including my daughter with an egg allergy. Is the only difference between this and the origanl, an egg? If not, can you post the origanl as well?
ThankBags.
Yes, Annalisa, you can just omit the egg in the updated recipe and it will be like you made it earlier. I added it back as I describe in the blog post. Thanks so much! xo
Can I use something other than almond extract? I’m baking around a nut allergy.
Yes, you can substitute vanilla in place of the almond extract.
I have a nut allergy and just doubled the vanilla. They tasted great!
Made without a cookie press and came out wonderful!
These cookies look delicious! am thinking of mailing these to my grandparents. Do you think they would ship well?
Hi Brittany,
These are really delicious! What a sweet thought to mail these to your grandparents! Please consult tips and suggestions for packing and shipping the cookies to keep them fresh and prevent crumbling. My friend Bridget from Bake at 350 has some tips for shipping cookies you may want to check out. Thanks! xo
Thank you! i needed a spritz cookie recipe because I lost mine. Perfect!
Hope you enjoy this one, Suzanne! It’s so delicious! xo
Wanting to make these for a cookie exchange. Just wondering does the frosting harden at all for stacking?
The glaze will “harden” a bit so that they can be put in a container. Enjoy them Marsan!
hi, could i use a mint extract to change up the flavor?
thank you for sharing
Michelle
You can! I would still use a bit of vanilla in the recipe as well.
Hi, I noticed you use almond extract and I can’t use that because of a nut allergy. Do you add 2 teaspoons of vanilla to replace or just leave out the almond recipe and use the suggested amount of vanilla?
Thank you,
Sherry
This is the best ever! Thank you! ♥
Thanks so much Jini! xo
Mixed up my 1st batch ever and realized my cookie press was missing a part. Dough was frozen until I bought a new press. I brought dough to room temp and presses out a beautiful batch, the dough was easy to work with. Just made 2nd batch, recipe says that you can press right away…..DONT DO IT! You will have a mess. Chill dough & then bring to rm temp. My opinion.
A very easy and good cookie with great consistency. I found no need to chill the dough first, as other reviewers suggested. My cookie press worked beautiful on them, and it’s just a plastic Wilton press. These will be added to my ‘go to’ file. Thank you for sharing.
I have flat cookies. I thought maybe I made it wrong the first time so I made them again. Nope, still flat. Followed the recipe exactly both times. Tastes good though.
I’m sorry your cookies were flat, Laurie Ann. I’ve not had that happen. I can’t be sure what happened, but wondering if butter possibly got too soft.
Mine have always turned out exactly as I’ve pictured and I do use my cookie press. I hope this helps – I’m glad you like the taste! Thanks! xo
Check your butter and make sure that it is salted. I had the same problem before and noticed I had bought unsalted butter. Humidity levels, depending on where you live can also cause cookie dough to go flat.
For the first time in a long time I successfully made Spritz cookies using your recipe. I’m ecstatic. My biggest problem in the past was the dough being too soft using the cookie press –ugh what a mess. Not this time. Although a couple of times I did put the dough in the refrigerator to cool down. Cookies are great–taste great, look great. I did add a drop or two of extra milk to the glaze and added food coloring for variation. The best.
So happy these were a hit for you too, Cindy! Thanks so much! xo
Best spritz cookie recipe! The dough was perfect for the press. Love, love it.
Thanks Monica! xo
Omg these are delicious!! Bake them 6 minutes and they’re perfect! I’m so excited for my family to try them tomorrow. These taste exactly how I wanted them to taste. My daughter loves them too! I didn’t even bother doing the glaze tho because they’re so good without it and I don’t want the whole extra mess. I might still glaze them later tho. But I totally recommend this recipe!! Delish!
Can you add coloring to the dough? Will it make the dough tough?
I added food coloring (1/2 a batch red and 1/2 batch green) and they turned out perfect!
I’ve made many different butter spritz cookie recipes over the years, and these have got to be my favorite! The powdered sugar makes such a difference in the texture and the flavor is perfect! The dough came together easily and worked fabulous in my cookie press. Thanks!
Great to hear that you enjoyed these, Denise! xo
Could you add food coloring without making the dough tough?
thank you so much for this beautiful recipe! i made it four times over the christmas season and it turned out beautifully each time. it is going in my recipe book for sure. 🙂
I’m so glad you love it! xo
I’m so happy to have found this recipe! They are amazingly delicious! While I was growing up, spritz cookies were always a household favorite during Christmas time. I didn’t get to see my mother on Christmas this year, but she’s coming to visit from out of state tomorrow… So I made these for a little belated Christmas celebration 🙂 she’s going to love them! Thank you!
I hope you have a wonderful visit with your mother this weekend and you both enjoy the cookies! I’m so happy you enjoy them, Alyssa! xo
Question: For optimal make-ahead results–do you think it’s best to make them and freeze unglazed or is it okay to freeze them glazed? I had read once that if you freeze them glazed they can become sticky when glazed? Therefore wondering if best to freeze unglazed, thaw to room temp and then glaze and sprinkle? Thanks for any thoughts you may have.
Hi Diane,
I have detailed the steps for freezing both glazed and unglazed in my written blog post. I hope this helps and that you enjoy the cookies! Thanks! xo
Oh yes — I found those instructions so helpful–I was just wondering though–if you personally had any issues with freezing them once they are glazed–for example, were they sticky when they defrosted? Sounds like they freeze well glazed. I just really wanted to impress and to find the best method for doing so — so was wondering your gut feeling on making a big batch of these ahead of time –If it’s better to make them ahead and freeze them unglazed then glaze them closer to when you want to serve them or freeze them glazed b/c it makes no difference? Sounds like you think freezing them glazed is still just fine. Any further thoughts on this from you, the expert would be most appreciated. Overall: thank you for sharing such a great recipe. I’m hoping to make this my go-to and really appreciate all your hard work.
Oh yes — I found those instructions so helpful–I was just wondering though–if you personally had any issues with freezing them once they are glazed–for example, were they sticky when they defrosted? Sounds like they freeze well glazed. I just really wanted to impress and to find the best method for doing so — so was wondering your gut feeling on making a big batch of these ahead of time –If it’s better to make them ahead and freeze them unglazed then glaze them closer to when you want to serve them or freeze them glazed b/c it makes no difference? Sounds like you think freezing them glazed is still just fine. Any further thoughts on this from you, the expert would be most appreciated. Overall: thank you for sharing such a great recipe. I’m hoping to make this my go-to and really appreciate all your hard work.
I wonder if I can add salt to the recipe if I have unsalted butter?
I would not add salt to this recipe if using unsalted butter, Tracey. Hope you enjoy!
These were amazing!! Thank you ! 1st time making Spritz Cookies and I’ll be making these over and over again ! I’m not a baker and had no issues with these. They turned out perfect and so delicious! Only thing was I had to add a bit more milk to the glaze , not sure why. Anyways thank you , this is the first batch of cookies I’ve made with my new cookie press and these will be made dozens of times !
You are going to love the cookie press. I’m so glad these cookies worked so well for your first time. They are one of my family’s favorite cookies. Thanks, Natacha.
LOVE THESE! First time made and they disappeared.
Do you think I could add lemon zest and juice or cocoa to change it up?
Thanks!
Thanks, Mary. I’m so glad everyone loved these cookies. I haven’t made these cookies with cocoa or lemon zest and juice but you could. You could always use a lemon glaze on these like I did with my Lemon Shortbread Cookies.
I received cookie stamps as a gift. I have tried several recipes and have not been impressed with any of them so far. Can these be rolled into golf ball size balls and pressed with the stamps, or is the dough to soft?
I haven’t made these using stamps but I do tell how to make them without a cookie press in the recipe. Thanks, Deb.
Best spritz cookie recipe I found yet. I followed the recipe. I did add two drops of food coloring for the tree and wreath disk. Thank you so much.
Thank, Rhonda. So glad you love this recipe!
going to try now. Do you put cookies on parchment paper?
I don’t recommend using parchment or a silicone baking mat when making these as they will not release from the cookie press. I just press them directly onto the baking sheet with the cookie press, Tracy. Hope you enjoy!
I’ve been Looking for this
Hope you enjoy, Kathleen!