Christmas Spritz Cookies (No-fail Recipe)

Spritz cookies are a wonderful Christmas tradition. These buttery shortbread cookies are sure to brighten your Christmas cookie platter. Today, I share with you my no-fail recipe and method. I also provide tips to making perfect Christmas Spritz Cookies every single time.

As kids, I only knew Spritz cookies as Christmas cookies. I think because mom only made them during Christmas. Although I think they are perfect at any time of the year. Mom didn't have a cookie press, so she would only use a piping bag with a star tip. She'd usually make swirls to look like wreaths and sprinkle some sanding sugar on them.

For a long time, I presumed spritz cookies were one of the most difficult cookies to make because my very first attempt with a cookie press was a huge disaster. And of course, my friends made me feel better by saying - it's not you, the cookie press isn't working. Since then I've only used the piping bag and star tip.

Fast forward a few years later, I'm using the same recipe but with a new cookie press. Guess what? Perfect cookies. Turns out it was the cookie press. Just some random press I had picked up at a dollar store. Lesson learned.

Now I have the best spritz cookie recipe for you. This one has been with me for many years and like my macaron recipes, I use this as my base recipe to create new variations.

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About this recipe

This is my no-fail recipe whether you use a cookie press or a piping bag with a star tip. The recipe is very simple and easy and not the standard recipe you find everywhere else.

I've got brown sugar in these that add a nice caramel flavor combined with the cinnamon and ginger. The cornstarch gives these cookies that shortbread mouthfeel. These are delicious on their own, but you can definitely add a sugar glaze if you want.

I've used melted white chocolate and sprinkles to decorate these with the kids, and yet you can have fun with these in so many different ways.

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Ingredients and substitutes

• Unsalted butter – I like to use unsalted butter in all my baking so I can control the amount of salt. And yet, if you must use salted butter omit the salt in the recipe.
• All-purpose flour – I always use all-purpose flour with great success. You do not need any other flour.
• Cornstarch – Also known as cornflour – I never miss an opportunity to add starch, cornflour, rice flour, semolina. These add a nice crumbly melt in the mouthfeel. It also lightens the cookie. 
• Brown Sugar – I’ve used light brown sugar and highly recommend it. White sugar will make the cookies crisper while the brown sugar will make them chewier
• Vanilla extract – I like using vanilla extract. And yet, it also tends to color the dough. So, if you need a white or plain white dough, add clear vanilla extract or rose essence. Having said that, always use a good quality vanilla extract. I know it’s expensive which is why I make my vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste as well as vanilla sugar.
• Spices– Use good quality cinnamon and ginger powder from a trusted source. You can use pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice instead as well.

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Which cookie press is good for spritz cookies?

I've been through my fair share of cookie press disasters and would end up putting my dough into a piping bag. While I'm not a slave to brands, I will say that ever since I've got this Italian cookie press I've did not have a single day of frustration or disappointment. My cookies press out perfectly every single time. It is not the cheapest on the market but if you look at the video below you will see it is the easiest cookie press I've ever owned. The other two recommended and affordable cookie press are these models by OXO and Wilton.

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Step by step instructions (Save/Pin)

Prepare dough

• Preheat the oven at 180 C / 356 F.
• Combine dry ingredients - flour, salt, spice, cornstarch - and set aside.
• Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg followed by the vanilla and almond extract.
• Scrape the bowl well and mix it again until creamy.
• Next, add in the flour mixture - the consistency of this dough is soft.

Press cookies with a Spritz Cookie Press

• Divide the dough into 3 or 4 portions.
• You can color the dough with food color gels if you prefer.
• Fill the dough into the cookie press with a Christmas disc.
• Press cookies directly on the cookie tray (no parchment paper).

Pipe cookies with a piping bag

• If you don't have a cookie press - place the cookie dough into a piping bag with a large open star tip.
• Pipe swirls or kisses onto a baking tray or parchment-lined baking tray.

Bake Cookies

• Bake the cookies in a preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. These do bake quickly so keep a close eye on them.
• Cook on the baking tray for just 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
• When cooled, store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Decorate the Cookies

• The cookies are delicious on their own without any frosting.
• But you can certainly decorate them with melted chocolate and sprinkles, OR
• You can make a simple sugar glaze with just 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon water.
• Let the frosting dry before you store them away.

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10 Tips for making Perfect Spritz Cookies

1. Make sure the butter is firm room temperature, not soft or melted when you cream the butter and sugar.
2. Use fine grain sugar so it creams well with the butter. In the video, you can see I have pulsed my brown sugar in a food processor because the brown sugar I get is very thick and takes very long to cream.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Do not skip on this step because there is no leavening in the recipe. The air you incorporate now is what will give you light cookies.
4. After you add the egg - mix again until it is creamy. If you need to add a tablespoon of flour to help it cream.
5. Once you add the flour, do not over mix. You do not want to activate the gluten in the dough.
6. Do not press too much dough into the cookie press as it will be difficult to press the dough out. Some plastic presses can break with the force (don't ask me how I know that).
7. Press the cookies directly on the baking tray without any parchment paper. The cookie press creates a suction which helps keep the cookie dough on the tray, so you can pick the press and leave the cookie behind.
8. Make sure the baking tray is clean and grease-free. Grease will prevent the cookies from sticking to the tray. If necessary wipe the tray dry.
9. Hold the cookie press at a right angle - straight up (see video below). This helps create the suction I speak of above.
10. Keep a close watch in the oven these cookies bake fast - 6 to 8 minutes. They do not spread. But if you live in a hot humid climate you can chill the cookies on the tray before baking.

Frequently asked questions

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