This Holiday Spritz Cookies recipe is the kind of simple, buttery cookie that brings instant joy to any holiday cookie tray. They’re crisp on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, and bursting with that classic vanilla-almond flavor everyone loves during Christmas. Whether you use a cookie press or roll and cut them by hand, these cheerful cookies come together quickly and look beautifully festive with colorful sprinkles on top.
Every year, I bake these Holiday Spritz Cookies to kick off the season, and they’ve become one of my most requested Christmas treats. They’re nostalgic, irresistibly buttery, and just the right mix of old-fashioned and elegant. Plus, they store beautifully and are perfect for gifting or cookie swaps.
If you love baking for the holidays, you will also enjoy my Christmas Shortbread Cookies for a buttery classic or these Healthy Christmas Cookies when you want something lighter but still festive.
In This Post
table talk
With Liliya!
If you’ve ever been intimidated by a cookie press, let me tell you this recipe is your sign to try it. Once you press that first batch of cookies onto the pan and see those perfect little shapes, you’ll be hooked. I always make these with a mug of hot coffee and some Christmas music playing in the background. The dough is so smooth and easy to work with that it feels like a little holiday therapy session in the kitchen.
Liliya
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Spritz Cookies Recipe
- They hold their shape beautifully and bake up picture-perfect every time.
- The almond extract gives that nostalgic, bakery-style flavor that screams Christmas.
- They’re easy to customize with sprinkles, colored sugar, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate.
- The dough works perfectly in any cookie press (or you can roll and cut for a rustic look).
- They make gorgeous edible gifts that last for days without losing flavor or texture.
Ingredients Needed For Holiday Spritz Cookies
- Butter. Use salted butter for that balanced sweet-and-salty flavor that enhances every bite. Softened butter ensures a creamy, fluffy base when beaten with sugar.
- Sugar. Granulated sugar adds the right amount of sweetness and helps give these cookies their delicate crisp texture.
- Egg. The egg binds the dough and adds richness. Make sure it’s at room temperature so the dough blends evenly.
- Vanilla extract. A must for classic cookie flavor. Pure vanilla extract gives the dough that comforting bakery scent and taste.
- Almond extract. Just half a teaspoon adds a festive, nutty aroma that pairs perfectly with vanilla. It’s the secret to the signature “holiday spritz” flavor.
- Salt. Even a pinch makes a big difference. It balances the sweetness and deepens the butter notes.
- All-purpose flour. This forms the tender yet sturdy structure of the cookies. For the lightest texture, measure your flour by spooning and leveling it rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Sprinkles. Red and green sprinkles bring the holiday magic! You can also use colored sugar or crushed peppermint candy for a twist.
How I Make Holiday Spritz Cookies
(This is a quick overview of how I make Holiday Spritz Cookies, with tips along the way. You’ll find the full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below.)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F so it’s ready when your dough is.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until pale yellow and fluffy. This step is key for light, tender cookies. Don’t rush it, give the mixer 2 to 3 minutes to work its magic.
- Add the egg, vanilla, almond extract, and salt, and mix until creamy. Scrape down the sides of your bowl to make sure everything is fully incorporated.
- Slowly add flour until a soft dough forms. It should be smooth but not sticky.
- Press or shape the dough. Transfer it into your cookie press (or roll and cut into shapes). Press directly onto an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Decorate. Add colorful sprinkles before baking so they stick beautifully.
- Bake for 6–8 minutes. The cookies won’t brown, so remove them while they’re still pale for that perfect tender crumb.
Expert Tips for Holiday Spritz Cookies
Use room-temperature butter. Softened butter blends seamlessly with sugar to create that light, fluffy base that gives spritz cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. Butter that’s too cold won’t cream properly, while melted butter will make the dough greasy and heavy.
Don’t chill the dough. Unlike most cookie recipes, spritz cookie dough works best when it’s freshly mixed and still soft. Chilling it makes it too firm to press through the cookie press. If it becomes too soft while pressing, pop it in the fridge for just 5–10 minutes — no longer.
Press directly onto ungreased baking sheets. The dough needs to grip the pan to release cleanly from the press. If you use parchment or silicone mats, the cookies often won’t stick. For the best results, use bare metal cookie sheets and avoid greasing.
Keep your cookie press steady. Hold the press firmly against the baking sheet and give one confident click per cookie. Lift straight up — no twisting or wiggling — to maintain clean shapes.
Decorate before baking. Add your sprinkles, colored sugar, or nonpareils before the cookies go into the oven so they stick beautifully to the dough as it bakes.
Watch the bake time carefully. Spritz cookies bake fast and shouldn’t brown. Pull them out when they’re set and just barely golden at the edges. Overbaking will make them crisp instead of tender.
Double the recipe for gifting. This dough is easy to scale, and a double batch makes about 6 dozen cookies — perfect for holiday tins or cookie exchanges.
What to Serve with Holiday Spritz Cookies
These cookies are dreamy with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They also pair perfectly with festive drinks like eggnog or spiced cider. If you’re serving them on a dessert board, mix in chocolate truffles, candied nuts, and chocolate-dipped pretzels for a cozy holiday touch.
Holiday Spritz Cookies Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Classic Vanilla Spritz Cookies. Leave out the almond extract and double the vanilla. This gives a pure, comforting vanilla cookie flavor that’s universally loved and pairs beautifully with coffee or cocoa.
- Chocolate Spritz Cookies. Replace ¼ cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. Add a touch more vanilla extract and a pinch of espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor. These bake up beautifully dark and rich — perfect for sandwiching with Nutella or peppermint frosting.
- Peppermint Spritz Cookies. Use ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract in place of almond extract and top with crushed peppermint candy. These are especially festive and make the kitchen smell like a candy cane wonderland.
- Hazelnut or Almond Spritz Cookies. Add 2 tablespoons of finely ground nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, or pecans) to the dough for subtle texture and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with coffee.
- Chocolate-Dipped Spritz Cookies. After baking, dip half of each cookie into melted dark or white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint or colored sugar. This simple touch adds elegance and a touch of indulgence.
- Colorful Holiday Spritz Cookies. Tint the dough with red or green gel food coloring before pressing. Separate your dough into small batches, color each, and press festive patterns for a playful Christmas look.
- Jam-Filled Spritz Sandwich Cookies. Press and bake smaller shapes, then sandwich two together with raspberry or apricot jam. Dust the tops lightly with powdered sugar for a delicate, European-style treat.
- Spiced Spritz Cookies. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dough for a cozy, spiced version that tastes like Christmas in a bite. Perfect with eggnog or a chai latte.
- Gluten-Free Spritz Cookies. Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure it includes xanthan gum for the best texture. The dough will be slightly softer, but presses beautifully when handled gently.
- Fold-in Ideas. Fold in walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, dried fruit, white chocolate chips, or mini chocolate chips to create texture and variety.
Storing / Freezing Holiday Spritz Cookies
- At room temperature. Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight tin or container at room temperature for up to 7 days. Layer them between sheets of wax paper or parchment to prevent sticking.
- Freezing baked cookies. Once completely cooled, arrange cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw uncovered at room temperature to maintain their delicate crispness.
- Freezing unbaked dough. You can also freeze the raw dough. Shape it into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic, then seal in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before pressing or rolling.
- Refreshing texture. To bring back that just-baked taste, reheat cookies for 2–3 minutes at 300°F. This lightly warms the butter and revives the aroma without drying them out.
- Gifting tip. Layer spritz cookies in parchment-lined tins or glass jars, tie with a ribbon, and store in a cool spot. They stay fresh and pretty for holiday gifting for several days.
How to Reheat Holiday Spritz Cookies
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, place them on a baking sheet and heat at 300°F for 2–3 minutes. This refreshes the buttery aroma without drying them out.
FAQs About Holiday Spritz Cookies
Why won’t my spritz cookies stick to the baking sheet?
Spritz cookies need to be pressed onto ungreased metal baking sheets. If you use parchment or silicone mats, the dough often won’t grip and release properly. Press directly onto clean, cool metal for perfect shapes.
Can I make spritz cookies without a cookie press?
Yes! Roll the dough into 1-inch balls or roll it out and use cookie cutters. The texture stays the same, and you can still decorate with sprinkles before baking.
Why did my dough get too soft or sticky?
Warm kitchens can soften butter quickly. If the dough feels sticky or loses its shape when pressed, chill it for 10 minutes to firm it up just slightly.
Can I use margarine or shortening instead of butter?
You can, but butter gives the best flavor and texture. Margarine can make cookies softer and slightly oily, while shortening creates a more crumbly texture.
What extract combinations work best?
Vanilla and almond are the classic holiday pairing, but try vanilla and peppermint or orange and almond for fun seasonal twists.
More Holiday Cookie Recipes
Before you get started! If you try this Holiday Spritz Cookies recipe, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review. It helps us keep sharing free recipes you can count on.
Holiday Spritz Cookies
- Total Time23 minutes
- YieldAbout 4 dozen cookies 1x
- DietVegetarian
These Holiday Spritz Cookies are buttery, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth soft with the perfect hint of vanilla and almond. They’re the classic Christmas cookie that looks beautiful on every holiday tray and tastes even better with a cup of hot cocoa. Made with a simple cookie press or rolled and cut by hand, these festive cookies are fun to make, easy to decorate, and perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or cozy winter baking days.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1–2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or leave ungreased if using a cookie press.
- Cream butter and sugar together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add the flour gradually, mixing on low until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth but not sticky.
- Transfer dough into a cookie press and press cookies directly onto an ungreased baking sheet. (If not using a press, roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes.)
- Decorate with red and green sprinkles before baking.
- Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until cookies are set but still pale in color.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before storing or decorating further.
Notes
- Take your time and don’t rush the process. If this is your first time using a cookie press, it might take a few tries to get those perfect shapes. Read through your cookie press instructions, practice a few test cookies, and once you find your rhythm, you’ll be pressing out perfect little cookies in no time.
- Use softened, not melted butter.
- Don’t chill the dough before pressing.
- Press cookies directly onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Watch the bake time closely they should stay light and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 75 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
More Christmas Cookie Recipes to Try
Looking for more holiday baking? Browse the full Christmas Cookie Recipes collection, or browse everything in our Cookie Recipes.
These Sprits cookies look delicious.I use to have a press and recipe years ago and lost,the recipe and my press was old. I will be buying a new press so I can make these cookies again. Thank You for posting this recipe. Looking forward to seeing more of your Recipes.
Quick question, could you pipe these into swirls instead of using a cookie press? I just don’t want another kitchen gadget.
Can you use gluten-free flour for this recipe? And if so, is it the same amount?