Nothing says the holidays like a batch of freshly baked Spritz Cookies! These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats, made with a cookie press, are a cherished tradition in my family, passed down from my grandma. I love how this turns out every time and I’m so excited to share her secret with you. Follow along, and you’ll be enjoying these festive cookies in no time!
Grandma’s Spritz Cookies: A Holiday Tradition
For as long as I can remember, the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery goodness has filled our home during the holiday season, all thanks to my grandma’s Spritz cookies. Making these cookies is more than just baking; it’s a connection to family, to cherished memories, and a way to share warmth and joy with loved ones. I remember sitting at the kitchen counter, mesmerized as she effortlessly cranked out perfect little trees and stars. I’m happy to bring that same joy to your kitchen!
Gather Your Ingredients for Classic Spritz
Before you start, make sure you have everything ready. The key to success is using quality ingredients and having them at the right temperature – especially that butter!
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Colored sugar or sprinkles
Achieving Spritz Perfection: Your Baking Walkthrough
Ready to transform these ingredients into beautiful, delicious cookies? Let’s get baking! Don’t worry if your first batch isn’t perfect; practice makes perfect (and you get to eat the mistakes!).
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is really important, so don’t skip it.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer. You want this mixture to be light and fluffy – about 3-5 minutes on medium speed. You’ll notice the aroma instantly as the sugar and butter combine.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is nicely combined. The almond extract adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but you can skip it if you prefer.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. You want it just combined.
- Load up your cookie press with the dough. This can be a little tricky at first. Make sure the dough is firmly packed into the press.
- Press cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. I find that ungreased sheets work best to prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Choose your favorite shapes!
- Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles *before* baking. Get creative!
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them; they can burn quickly.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.
Dough Consistency is Key
The consistency of your dough is absolutely crucial for successful Spritz cookies. It should be smooth and pliable, but not too sticky. If the dough is too dry, it will be difficult to press through the cookie press. If it’s too wet, the cookies will spread too much during baking. If your dough seems off, add a tablespoon of flour or a teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach the perfect consistency.
Expert Tips for Pressing Success
Pressing Spritz cookies can be a little tricky at first, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be a pro in no time! Make sure the cookie press is clean and dry before using it. Pack the dough firmly into the press, and hold the press steady against the baking sheet while you press out the cookies. If the dough is sticking to the press, try chilling it for a few minutes. Sometimes I’ll put the filled cookie press in the fridge for about 10 minutes to help the dough firm up for cleaner pressing.
Serving Suggestions and Safe Storage
Spritz cookies are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. They make a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie platter. To store them, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to store them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure they are completely cooled before freezing.
Nutrition Snapshot: Spritz Cookie Calories
Each Spritz cookie contains approximately 75 calories. This is just an estimate and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and serving size. Keep in mind that they’re treats, so enjoy them in moderation! (Note: Calorie count is an estimate and may vary based on ingredient brands and serving size.)
Avoiding Common Spritz Cookie Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, especially when baking! Here are a few common pitfalls to avoid when making Spritz cookies:
- Using butter that isn’t soft enough: This will make it difficult to cream the butter and sugar properly, resulting in dense cookies. Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted.
- Overmixing the dough: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Not chilling the dough (if needed): If your dough is too soft, it will be difficult to press. Chill it for a few minutes before using.
- Overbaking the cookies: Spritz cookies bake quickly, so keep a close eye on them to prevent them from burning.
Ask the Baker: Your Spritz Cookie FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few frequently asked questions about making Spritz cookies:
Why are my cookies spreading?
There are several reasons why your Spritz cookies might be spreading too much. It could be that your butter was too soft or melted, or that you overmixed the dough. It could also be that your oven is not at the correct temperature. Make sure to use softened (not melted) butter, mix the dough until just combined, and verify your oven temperature with an oven thermometer.
Can I freeze spritz cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze Spritz cookie dough! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can freeze it for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before using. You might need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften it slightly before pressing.
Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until thoroughly combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Fill a cookie press with the dough. Press cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart.
- Decorate the unbaked cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles as desired.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Yield: Approximately 4-5 dozen cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Calories: Nutritional information not provided.
