Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies
Table of Contents
The scent of butter and sugar mingling in the warm kitchen air brings back cherished memories of holiday seasons past. As a child, I remember the excitement bubbling over in our home as my mom and I would spend an afternoon creating these Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies. These cookies, with their delicate, buttery texture, and festive shapes, were the heart of our holiday celebrations. They were not just cookies; they were little pieces of joy that filled our home with love and laughter. Today, I’m thrilled to share this timeless recipe with you, a beloved staple of our Easy Peasy Recipes family.
There’s something truly magical about baking these spritz cookies. First, the ease of preparation makes them a perfect family activity — yes, even for those little helping hands eager to sprinkle some sugar magic! Secondly, the ingredients are simple, yet they transform into the most delightful treats that melt in your mouth. You’ll love how effortlessly they bring warmth and cheer to your holiday table. Thirdly, these cookies are endlessly customizable, allowing you to add your own personal touch with colored sugars and sprinkles. Fourthly, they’re a crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to bring smiles to faces young and old. Lastly, each bite is a sweet reminder of the joys of homemade goodness, reminding us of the true spirit of the season.
Why This Recipe Should Be on Your Table
- Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies should definitely make an appearance in your holiday baking lineup. They’re a delightful way to celebrate the season’s festive spirit with minimal effort and maximum joy. These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a heartfelt homemade gift. Their charming shapes and vibrant decorations add a whimsical touch to any dessert spread — a testament to the beauty of simplicity. Plus, they’re a wonderful way to create lasting memories with your family, transforming your kitchen into a cozy haven of holiday cheer. Imagine the smiles on your guests’ faces as they bite into these buttery cookies, perfectly shaped and adorned with festive sprinkles.
- These cookies also offer a fantastic opportunity for creativity. Whether you decide to stick to traditional shapes like stars and trees or venture into more unique designs, each batch becomes a canvas for your artistic flair. The mere act of pressing the dough through a cookie press and watching the shapes form on the baking sheet can be incredibly satisfying and joyful. It’s a simple pleasure that brings out the child in all of us, reminding us of the joy found in the little things.
Kitchen Tools to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy
To whip up these delightful cookies, you’ll need a few trusty tools that make the process as smooth as possible. First, a cookie press is essential for creating those classic shapes. If you don’t have one, they’re easily available and a worthwhile investment for any home baker. Using a cookie press might seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. The key is to ensure the dough is the right consistency—not too sticky and not too stiff—for the perfect press.
You’ll also need a large mixing bowl for combining ingredients, a hand or stand mixer to cream the butter and sugar to perfection, and a whisk for blending the dry ingredients. These tools are staples in any baker’s kitchen and will make your preparation seamless. Don’t forget your baking sheets lined with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and a cooling rack to let your cookies set without getting soggy underneath. The cooling rack is particularly important as it allows air to circulate around the cookies, ensuring they cool evenly and maintain their delightful texture.
How to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Assorted colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for the texture of your cookies, as it incorporates air into the mixture, making the cookies light and tender.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. The egg adds structure and richness, while the vanilla provides a warm, sweet aroma that enhances the overall flavor.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the delicate texture of the cookies.
- Fill a cookie press fitted with your favorite Christmas-shaped disc with the dough. Press cookies onto the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Ensure the baking sheet is cool before pressing the dough to prevent it from spreading too much.
- Decorate each cookie with colored sugar or sprinkles as desired. This is where the fun begins! Get creative with your decorations to make each cookie unique.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Difficulty: Easy • Cuisine: American • Preparation Time: 15 minutes • Cooking Time: 10 minutes • Total Time: 25 minutes • Calories: 150 kcal (per cookie, approximate) • Servings: 24 cookies
Note: Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and a smoother dough. Chill the dough slightly if it becomes too soft to press properly, ensuring clean shapes. If your cookies are not sticking to the baking sheet, try chilling the baking sheet slightly.
Health and Flavor Benefits of Ingredients
These Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies may be simple, but each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect cookie. The unsalted butter provides richness and a tender crumb, while the granulated sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness. The sugar also helps the cookies to spread just enough to create a lovely texture. Eggs contribute to the cookie’s structure, ensuring they hold their shape during baking. Vanilla extract brings a warm, aromatic note that complements the buttery base. It’s the secret ingredient that elevates the flavor profile of these cookies. All-purpose flour gives the cookies their delicate texture, and a touch of baking powder ensures a light rise. Finally, a pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, making each bite truly delightful. These ingredients come together to create not just a cookie, but a nostalgic experience of holiday warmth and joy.
Tasty Pairings to Serve with This Easy Peasy Dish
Pair these cookies with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or a glass of cold milk for a classic holiday treat that never fails to delight. The creamy richness of the hot chocolate complements the buttery cookie perfectly, creating a comforting combination that’s hard to resist. They also complement a festive tea spread, offering a sweet counterpoint to savory bites. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, consider serving these cookies alongside a selection of teas or mulled wine for an elegant touch.
For a truly indulgent experience, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. The cookies’ simple, buttery flavor is the perfect canvas for a variety of pairings, making them versatile enough to suit any occasion or mood. You can also crumble them over desserts such as trifles or parfaits for added texture and flavor.
Storage Tips and How to Enjoy Leftovers the Easy Peasy Way
Store your spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain their delightful texture. Ensure that the container is truly airtight to prevent the cookies from becoming stale. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies by layering them between sheets of wax paper in a freezer-safe container. This method helps to preserve their freshness and flavor for several weeks.
When you’re ready to enjoy, simply let them come to room temperature or give them a quick warm-up in the oven for that just-baked freshness. Leftover cookies are fantastic for gifting — package them in a pretty tin or a cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon for a thoughtful, homemade present. Add a personal note or a sprig of holly for an extra special touch.
Baking these Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies is more than just a kitchen task; it’s an opportunity to embrace the joy and love that come with the holiday season. Each batch is a reminder of the warmth and togetherness that define the holidays, a testament to the power of simple, heartfelt cooking. So gather your loved ones, dust off that cookie press, and let your home be filled with the sweet magic of Christmas. Pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board and bring a little Easy Peasy comfort to your kitchen whenever you need it.
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Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Fill a cookie press fitted with your favorite Christmas-shaped disc with the dough. Press cookies onto the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Decorate each cookie with colored sugar or sprinkles as desired.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
