Buttery spritz cookies are a timeless holiday favorite known for their delicate texture, rich butter flavor, and beautiful shapes. Made with simple pantry ingredients and formed using a cookie press, these cookies are elegant yet surprisingly easy to prepare. Light, crisp at the edges, and tender inside, spritz cookies are a staple on Christmas cookie trays—but they’re delicious any time of year.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to make perfect buttery spritz cookies, from ingredient selection and technique to troubleshooting and variations.

What Are Spritz Cookies?

Spritz cookies originate from Europe, where “spritz” means to squirt—a reference to how the dough is pressed through a cookie press into decorative shapes. Unlike rolled or cut cookies, spritz cookies require no chilling, no rolling, and no cutters.

They are known for:

High butter content
Crisp, delicate texture

Intricate shapes
Mild sweetness

Why Buttery Spritz Cookies Are So Popular

Spritz cookies remain a classic because they are:

Quick to make
Visually beautiful
Light and not overly sweet

Easy to customize
Perfect for gifting

They also bake evenly and store exceptionally well, making them ideal for holiday baking marathons.

Flavor Profile of Buttery Spritz Cookies

A perfect spritz cookie should be:

Richly buttery
Lightly sweet

Crisp on the outside
Soft and tender inside

These cookies rely on butter flavor rather than heavy spices or mix-ins, which is why quality ingredients matter.

Ingredients for Buttery Spritz Cookies

Essential Ingredients

Unsalted butter (room temperature)
Granulated sugar
Large egg

Vanilla or almond extract
All-purpose flour
Salt

Optional Add-Ins

Food coloring
Sprinkles
Colored sanding sugar

Melted chocolate for dipping

Why Butter Quality Matters

Because butter is the dominant flavor, use:

High-quality unsalted butter

Butter at true room temperature (not melted)

Soft but cool butter ensures the dough presses easily while holding its shape.

How to Make Buttery Spritz Cookies (Step by Step)

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This creates the delicate texture spritz cookies are known for.

Step 2: Add Egg and Flavoring

Mix in the egg and extract until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Gradually add flour and salt, mixing just until combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Fill the cookie press with dough and choose your desired disc shape.

Step 5: Press Cookies

Press cookies directly onto an ungreased baking sheet. Spritz cookies adhere better without parchment.

Step 6: Bake

Bake until just set, with lightly golden edges. Do not overbake.

Best Baking Sheets for Spritz Cookies

Use unlined, ungreased metal baking sheets

Avoid parchment paper or silicone mats
Cool sheets completely between batches

Proper adhesion ensures clean shapes.

How Long to Bake Spritz Cookies

Bake at 375°F (190°C)
8–10 minutes per batch

Cookies should remain pale with just a hint of golden color underneath.

Cookies Won’t Stick to the Pan

Pan may be greased or too warm.

Dough Too Stiff

Butter may be too cold—let dough rest briefly.

Shapes Losing Definition

Dough may be too warm or overmixed.

Cookies Spreading

Butter may be too soft or oven too hot.

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder.

Almond Spritz Cookies

Use almond extract and top with sliced almonds.

Holiday Spritz Cookies

Tint dough red or green and add sprinkles.

Chocolate-Dipped Spritz

Dip cooled cookies halfway in melted chocolate.

Decorating Spritz Cookies

Spritz cookies are beautiful on their own, but decorations add flair.

Decoration Ideas

Holiday sprinkles before baking
Candied cherries in centers
Drizzled chocolate after baking

Decorate lightly to preserve their delicate texture.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Storing Baked Cookies

Airtight container
Room temperature

Up to 7 days

Freezing

Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months
Freeze dough in press-ready logs

Yes. Wrap dough tightly and thaw slightly before pressing. Texture remains excellent.

Why Spritz Cookies Don’t Need Chilling

Unlike cut-out cookies, spritz dough:

Has higher butter-to-flour ratio

Relies on pressing rather than rolling
Benefits from immediate baking

Chilling actually makes the dough harder to press.

Spritz Cookies vs. Sugar Cookies

Spritz Cookies	Sugar Cookies
Pressed	Rolled & cut
No chilling	Often chilled
Delicate texture	Firmer texture
Mild sweetness	Sweeter

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cookie press?
Yes, spritz cookies require a press for proper shape.

Can I use salted butter?
Yes—reduce added salt slightly.

Why are my cookies brittle?
They may be overbaked.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe scales very well.

Proper butter temperature
Balanced sugar ratio

Correct baking surface
No chilling required

The result is consistent shape, perfect texture, and classic flavor every time.

Conclusion

Buttery spritz cookies are a celebration of simplicity done right. With their tender crumb, rich butter flavor, and festive shapes, they remain one of the most beloved cookies for holidays and special occasions. Easy to make, endlessly customizable, and beautiful on any cookie tray, spritz cookies deserve a permanent place in your baking repertoire.

Once you master the technique, you’ll look forward to making them year after year.

Buttery Spritz Cookies: Classic, Tender, and Perfectly Melt-in-Your-Mouth

Author: WAFA LI

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour (or sub ½ cup almond flour for nutty depth)
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: colored sprinkles or sanding sugar for topping

Instructions

In a bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (~2 min).
Mix in egg yolk and vanilla until smooth.

Gently fold in flour and salt until just combined—do not overmix. Dough should be soft but hold shape. Chill 15–20 min if too soft.
Load dough into a cookie press fitted with your favorite disc (stars, wreaths, etc.). Press onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 1½ inches apart.
Add sprinkles lightly (they adhere best before baking).

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 min—edges should be just golden; centers pale. Cool on sheet 2 min, then transfer to rack.