Spritz Butter Cookies
Spritz Butter Cookies are a timeless classic—delicately buttery, crisp at the edges, and tender in the center. These charming cookies bring a touch of nostalgia to any occasion, especially during the holidays, but they’re delightful year-round. Their buttery flavor perfectly complements the subtle vanilla, and their crisp texture melts in your mouth. Plus, decorating them with colored sugar or sprinkles adds a festive, personalized touch. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this recipe is straightforward and yields consistently delicious results. Let’s dive into what makes these Spritz Butter Cookies so dependable and how you can craft them to perfection.
Why This Recipe Is Reliable
Every ingredient in this recipe has been carefully selected and tested to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Using softened unsalted butter ensures a creamy base without overpowering saltiness, allowing the vanilla to shine. The inclusion of baking powder gives the cookies a subtle lift, preventing them from being too dense. This recipe’s simplicity is its strength—no complicated steps, no exotic ingredients—just classic baking techniques that guarantee success every time. The dough is easy to handle and works beautifully with a cookie press or piping bag, making it accessible for home bakers aiming for those signature spritz shapes.
What’s in the Bowl
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – The rich, creamy foundation for tender cookies.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and contributes to the crisp edges.
- 1 large egg – Provides structure and moisture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic flavor.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – The main dry ingredient, giving the cookies their body.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – Leavens the cookies slightly for a light texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Colored sugar or sprinkles – Optional, for decorating and adding visual appeal.
Equipment at a Glance
- Cookie press or piping bag – Essential for shaping the Spritz Butter Cookies into their classic designs.
- Mixing bowls – For combining wet and dry ingredients efficiently.
- Electric mixer – Makes creaming the butter and sugar smooth and fast.
- Baking sheets – To bake your cookies evenly.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Cooling rack – Allows cookies to cool evenly and retain their crispness.
From Start to Finish: Spritz Butter Cookies
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Begin by placing the softened butter and granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes and is crucial for the airy texture of your cookies.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, crack in the large egg and add the vanilla extract. Beat everything together until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure an even mixture.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which helps your cookies bake uniformly.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or stirring by hand until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and prevent them from becoming tough.
Step 5: Prepare for Shaping
Transfer the dough to a cookie press fitted with your favorite disk or fill a piping bag with a star tip. If the dough feels too soft to hold its shape, chill it for 15-20 minutes.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Press or pipe the dough directly onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats. Arrange the cookies about 1 to 2 inches apart, as they will spread slightly during baking.
Step 7: Decorate
Sprinkle colored sugar or festive sprinkles over the cookies before baking to add a delightful sparkle and extra texture.
Step 8: Bake
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overbaking.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them firm up and retain their delicate crispness.
Customize for Your Needs
- Swap out vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract to give the cookies a new flavor twist.
- Add finely chopped nuts or zest of citrus to the dough for added texture and aroma.
- Use natural food coloring in the dough to create colorful cookies without sprinkles.
- Try decorating with edible glitter for a sparkling finish perfect for celebrations.
Learn from These Mistakes
- Using cold butter can make the dough difficult to press or pipe. Always use softened butter for smooth dough.
- Overmixing the dough leads to tough cookies. Mix until ingredients are just combined.
- Pressing the dough too thick or too thin affects baking time and texture; aim for uniform shapes about 1/4 inch thick.
- Not chilling the dough when warm can cause cookies to lose their shape during baking.
- Overbaking dries out the cookies; remove them when edges are lightly golden for tender results.
Keep It Fresh: Storage Guide
Spritz Butter Cookies keep best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They maintain their crisp texture for up to one week, making them perfect for preparing ahead of time. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature, and they’ll taste just as fresh as the day you baked them.
Ask the Chef
Can I make Spritz Butter Cookies without a cookie press?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a cookie press, you can use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to pipe the dough into shapes. Alternatively, you can roll the dough into balls and flatten them slightly with a fork for a simpler version.
What’s the best way to prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Using softened but not melted butter and chilling the dough briefly before shaping helps control spreading. Also, be sure to measure your flour accurately, as too little flour can cause cookies to spread excessively.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a small amount to help with the dough’s structure and texture.
How do I get perfectly uniform shapes every time?
Using a cookie press with disk attachments is the easiest way to achieve consistent shapes. Make sure the dough is soft enough to press but firm enough to hold its shape. Chilling the dough slightly can help if it’s too soft.
Keep Cooking
- Love buttery cookies? Try the Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies for a rich twist.
- For a sweet and fruity bar, don’t miss the Brown Butter Pear Crumble Bars, a perfect dessert for any season.
- If you enjoy baking bread alongside cookies, the Cheddar Scallion Buttermilk Biscuits offer a savory option to complement your sweet treats.
Save & Share
If you’ve enjoyed these Spritz Butter Cookies, save this recipe for later and share it with friends and family. There’s nothing like homemade cookies to brighten someone’s day, and these classic treats are sure to bring smiles around the table. Whether you gift them in a pretty tin or serve them at your next gathering, they’re guaranteed to be a hit!
Spritz Butter Cookies are a delightful way to celebrate simple pleasures with a timeless recipe. With just a few pantry staples and a little creativity, you can create beautiful, delicious cookies that everyone will love. Happy baking!
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Spritz Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by placing the softened butter and granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color (about 3 to 4 minutes).
- Next, crack in the large egg and add the vanilla extract. Beat everything together until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or stirring by hand until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Transfer the dough to a cookie press fitted with your favorite disk or fill a piping bag with a star tip. If the dough is too soft, chill it for 15-20 minutes.
- Press or pipe the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats, spacing cookies 1 to 2 inches apart.
- Sprinkle colored sugar or festive sprinkles over the cookies before baking.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use softened butter for easy mixing and to ensure the dough holds its shape well.
- Chill the dough if it feels too soft to prevent spreading during baking.
- Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles before baking for a festive look.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months.
