If you’re looking for a delightful addition to your holiday baking, look no further than Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies! These festive treats are not only delicious but are also a fun activity to share with family during the holidays. With their buttery flavor and adorable shapes, these cookies are a true holiday classic that everyone will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Simple steps make this recipe perfect for bakers of all levels.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need fancy items; most ingredients are likely in your pantry.
- Perfect for Holidays: Ideal for Christmas and other festive celebrations.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves these sweet, buttery cookies!
- Unbelievably Delicious: A wonderful treat that melts in your mouth.
These spritz cookies stand out because of their unique texture and vibrant shapes. You can personalize them for any occasion, bringing joy and satisfaction as you serve them to family and guests.
Ingredients Needed
- For the Dough:1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 stick of margarine, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
- Optional: Gel food coloring for a festive touch
How to Make Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
- Begin by softening the unsalted butter and margarine in an electric mixer. Beat on medium-speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender cookie texture.
- Gradually add the sugar, half a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, incorporate the eggs one at a time until fully combined.
- Add the vanilla extract to the mixture, ensuring a rich flavor throughout.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. This will be the dry mixture.
- Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture by hand. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overworking the dough to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Chilling helps make it less sticky and easier to handle.
- As the dough chills, place your baking pan in the fridge for another 15 minutes to further prevent sticking when pressing the cookies.
- Prepare your Spritz Cookie Press according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the dough seems too soft after chilling, return it to the fridge until it firms up a bit. If it’s too stiff, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
- Press the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet in your desired shapes. Add any sprinkles or sanding sugar before baking for extra festive flair.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them as oven temperatures can vary.
How to Serve Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
Arrange your cookies on a beautiful platter for a festive touch. You can serve them as is or add a decorative sprinkling of powdered sugar or colorful sprinkles to celebrate the season!
How to Store Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a sealed bag for up to three months. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Tips to Make Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Experiment with different shapes using your cookie press for variety.
- If you want a more colorful cookie, consider adding gel food coloring when mixing the dough.
Variations
- Nut Flavors: Add chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for added texture.
- ** Chocolate Spritz:** You can add cocoa powder to create a chocolate version. Simply substitute 1/2 cup of flour for 1/2 cup of cocoa powder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, using margarine will work just fine in this recipe, though the taste might vary slightly.
How do I make this gluten-free?
You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute for regular flour to make these cookies gluten-free.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your cookies spread excessively, it could be due to warm dough. Make sure to chill the dough and the baking pan thoroughly before pressing and baking.
Conclusion
Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies are a wonderful addition to your holiday baking. They’re quick to make, require minimal ingredients, and bring cheer to any gathering. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating! We’d love to hear what variations you tried or how you made these cookies your own. Share your cookie creations on social media using the hashtag #EasyChristmasSpritzCookies!
Print
Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful festive cookies with a buttery flavor and vibrant shapes, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 stick of margarine, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
- Optional: Gel food coloring
Instructions
- Softening the unsalted butter and margarine in an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add sugar, half a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Incorporate the eggs one at a time until fully combined.
- Add vanilla extract to the mixture.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the butter mixture by hand, mixing gently until just combined.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
- Also chill your baking pan for another 15 minutes.
- Prepare your Spritz Cookie Press according to instructions, adjusting dough firmness as needed.
- Press the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet in desired shapes, optionally adding sprinkles.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg