If you’re like me and love classic Christmas treats that bring out the festive spirit, this Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe is an absolute winner. I’ve made these year after year because they’re buttery, tender, and perfectly shaped little bites of holiday joy. The best part? They come together surprisingly quickly, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all day when you really want to be enjoying the season.
These cookies are a staple in my family’s holiday cookie rotation, and I think you’ll love how easy it is to customize them with your favorite food coloring and sprinkles. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a cookie swap, or looking for a charming gift idea, this Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe delivers a festive look with simple, straightforward ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Buttery & Tender: The rich butter base gives these cookies a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to beat.
- Easy Cookie Press Method: No rolling or cutting required, which saves you tons of time and hassle.
- Customizable Colors & Shapes: You can get festive with your favorite food coloring and cookie press disks to match any holiday mood.
- Perfect for Sharing: Makes about 4 dozen, ideal for holiday parties, gifts, or simply enjoying with family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love that the ingredients in this Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe are simple pantry staples you probably already have. The combination of real butter, pure vanilla, and just the right flour amount makes these cookies so tender and flavorful every single time.
- Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter helps it cream nicely with the sugar, giving you that fluffy texture that’s crucial for spritz cookies.
- Granulated sugar: It sweetens and adds to the tender texture without overpowering the buttery flavor.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together while adding richness.
- Vanilla extract: I find pure vanilla extract really elevates the flavor in a way that’s subtle but noticeable.
- Green food coloring: Liquid or gel works, but gel takes less. I like to keep the green pale—not too intense—to avoid the Grinch vibe.
- All-purpose flour: Make sure to measure accurately by spooning into your cup and leveling off to avoid tough cookies.
- Kosher salt: Just a pinch balances out the sweetness and enhances buttery notes.
- Sprinkles or colored sugar: For that classic festive sparkle and crunch! This is where you can get creative.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion or mood. You can easily swap flavors or decorations to make these cookies feel brand new every time you bake them.
- Almond or peppermint extract: I sometimes replace vanilla with almond or add a splash of peppermint for a holiday twist that really catches people by surprise.
- Different food colors: Red and white for candy cane stripes, or shimmering gold sugar for a touch of elegance—get creative with it!
- Chocolate dipped edges: My family goes crazy when I dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top.
- Gluten-free version: I’ve had success swapping the flour for a gluten-free blend, but keep an eye on the texture—it might need a little more binding.
How to Make Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. While it’s warming up, make sure your butter is soft—not melted. Room temperature butter creams better with the sugar, which is key for those soft, buttery cookies you’re aiming for.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is where the magic starts; don’t rush it! It sets the base for a tender, airy cookie.
Step 3: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Food Coloring
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined. Then, add your green food coloring a drop at a time, blending as you go until you achieve your favorite holiday hue. I usually use about four drops of gel coloring for a lovely pale green. It’s tempting to go super bright, but trust me, a soft green is way more charming!
Step 4: Incorporate Flour and Salt
Slowly add the flour and kosher salt, then switch to a wooden spoon to stir just until everything comes together. Don’t overmix here—you want the dough to be soft but hold its shape when pressed.
Step 5: Cookie Press Time!
Load your dough into a cookie press fitted with your favorite disk design—wreaths, trees, stars, whatever you like! Press shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about an inch apart. I don’t grease the sheet or use parchment because the slight stickiness helps release the cookies cleanly from the press.
Step 6: Decorate and Bake
Sprinkle on festive colored sugar or any sprinkles you love, then bake for 7 to 9 minutes. Look for a slight golden tint on the bottom edges, which means they’re perfectly baked but still tender inside. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before you store or serve them.
Pro Tips for Making Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Room Temperature Butter Is Key: I learned the hard way that cold butter won’t cream well, resulting in tough cookies—so be patient!
- Control Your Color: Adding food coloring slowly helps avoid overly vibrant hues that look artificial.
- Don’t Grease the Sheet: The cookie dough needs a bit of stickiness to release nicely from the press—parchment or grease can mess that up.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: These cookies can go from perfect to overdone quickly; take them out as soon as the edges start to turn golden.
How to Serve Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with classic Christmas colored sugar and tiny festive sprinkles because they add that perfect little crunch and sparkle. Occasionally, I dust my cookies with a light shimmer of edible glitter when I want something extra special for the holiday table.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot cocoa, mulled cider, or your favorite holiday latte. If I’m hosting a cookie swap or party, I like to serve them on a platter along with spiced nuts and fruitcake bites for a festive assortment.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving, I arrange these spritz cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a red ribbon and include a little holiday tag. If you’re feeling artsy, try stacking them in mason jars layered with colored sugar or festive sprinkles between each layer—that always wows my friends and family!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and tender for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, just make sure they’re fully cooled before sealing the container, so no moisture ruins the texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these cookies before with great success. After baking and cooling completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for a couple of hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for about 2 months, which is perfect for prepping ahead of the holidays.
Reheating
When you want to enjoy the cookies fresh from the oven feel, just warm them in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This refreshes their texture without drying them out. I avoid microwaving because it tends to make them soft and chewy rather than crisp.
FAQs
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Can I use salted butter in this Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe?
While you can use salted butter, I recommend unsalted so you control the salt level precisely. Salted butter may make the cookies taste a bit too salty unless you reduce or omit the added kosher salt.
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What’s the best way to prevent spritz cookies from spreading too much during baking?
Using room temperature butter, not melted, and chilling the dough slightly if it feels too soft usually helps. Also, don’t grease your baking sheet so the dough holds its shape better when pressed.
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Can I make these cookies without a cookie press?
Yes! You can roll the dough and use cookie cutters, but the texture might be a little different. The cookie press method gives these cookies their signature thin and uniform shape, but a classic rolled version will still taste delicious.
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How long do Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies last?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they’re best enjoyed within a week. Beyond that, they may lose their softness and start to dry out.
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Can I add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to this recipe?
Absolutely! Adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even ginger can enhance the holiday vibe. Just add about 1/4 teaspoon to the flour mixture and see how you like the flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe has a special place in my holiday baking heart because it’s simple yet so festive and customizable. I love sharing these with friends and watching their faces light up over a perfectly buttery, beautifully shaped cookie. If you’re looking for a reliable, crowd-pleasing cookie that’s both easy and full of nostalgic charm, give this recipe a try—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 9 Minutes
- Total Time: 22 to 24 Minutes
- Yield: About 4 dozen cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the festive spirit with these Spritz Butter Christmas Cookies, perfectly tender and buttery with a subtle vanilla flavor and a charming pale green hue. Easy to make using a cookie press, these classic holiday treats are adorned with colorful sprinkles or sugar for a joyful finish.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (liquid or gel), about 4 drops gel recommended
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Decoration
- Sprinkles or colored sugar, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your cookies are shaped.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is fluffy and light, which incorporates air and gives the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Coloring: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Gradually add green food coloring drop by drop, blending with the mixer until you achieve your preferred hue, aiming for a pleasant pale green.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and kosher salt with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated and the dough comes together.
- Shape Cookies: Load the dough into a cookie press fitted with a festive disk shape (such as wreaths or trees). Press cookie shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Avoid parchment or greasing so the cookie press works effectively. Optionally, decorate the tops with sprinkles or colored sugar immediately after pressing.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color. Be careful not to overbake to maintain a tender chew.
- Cool and Store: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and crisp.
Notes
- Gel food coloring requires fewer drops and gives more vibrant color compared to liquid; approx. 4 drops gel achieve a soft green.
- Do not grease or line your baking sheet to allow the cookie press shapes to release properly.
- For best texture, use room temperature butter to ensure even creaming with sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- These cookies can be customized with any cookie press disk shapes for different holiday themes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximate, based on 48 cookies per batch)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
