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This basic recipe for German Spritz Butter Cookies works for any occasion, whether for making Christmas cookies or for a themed Tea Party. Small, buttery cookies with a sprinkling of sugar on top.
I enjoy baking Spritz cookies during the holidays, as they make a delightful addition to a cookie tray as green Christmas trees and wreaths. But they are perfect for other occasions, too, as you can make pink hearts, yellow flowers, white snowflakes. You get the idea. And I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t enjoy munching on one of these little butter cookies.
Spritz Cookies Originated in Germany
If you’ve visited this recipe site very often, you may know that I enjoy sharing German recipes. Spritz cookies are a traditional German cookie known as Spritzgebäck, which comes from the German word “spritzen,” which means “to squirt”. Hence, they are made with a cookie press that squirts out dough in small intricate patterns. Spritz Cookies are quite similar to Danish Butter Cookies.
This base recipe is so versatile. Not only can you make Spritz cookies in different colors, but you may adapt the recipe in flavor, too. Vanilla and almond are delightful, but you may substitute those for lemon, strawberry, or as in this recipe Princess Cake and Cookie flavoring, which is a wonderfully scented combination of vanilla and citrus. See more recipes with Princess Cookie Flavoring.
Other options include adding baking cocoa or spice to the dough or decorate with colored decorating sugars, pearls, nonpareils, chocolate chips, jam, or candied cherries!
Ingredients for German Spritz Butter Cookies
(As a Walmart and Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases at the links below. See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
A Note About Cookie Presses
When shopping for a cookie press, be sure to read product reviews. My first press, which was all stainless steel, served me well for several years, but is no longer available. Our oldest daughter has an OXO Press that she enjoys using, and the reviews for it are very good. I also like that it offers a lot of specialty discs that go with this press, including a set for Christmas. I purchased this press a few years ago and enjoy using it!
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Instructions For Making This Recipe
Preheat oven to 375°F. Gather all your equipment and ingredients so you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until well blended. Add large egg, Princess Cake and Cookie Flavoring, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
Mix in flour until a nice, soft dough forms. At this point, you may add food coloring of your choice. For this recipe, I divided the dough and made 2/3 of it pink and 1/3 green. Mix in coloring gel with and electric beater or your hands until fully incorporated.
Form the Spritz Cookies
Fill cookie press cylinder with dough and press cookies out onto an ungreased baking sheet. You may also use a silicone baking mat, but be sure the mat is completely clean with no greasy residue on it or the dough will not stick to the mat. The same goes for your baking sheet.
Follow instructions for your cookie press. I like to coat my cylinder with cooking spray before using. Then I roll my cookie dough into a log that will fit my cylinder. I prefer doing this rather than pushing the dough into the press. Also, do not refrigerate the dough, or it will be too difficult to push through the press. You want a nice soft dough for this procedure.
Place the bottom of the cookie press flat against the baking sheet and click the handle once or twice until the dough adheres to the pan. Sometimes I click once, while other times, it needs two. If the dough design isn’t adequate, simply scrape it from the baking sheet and put it back into the dough scraps for another try. I usually fill my cylinder 2-3 times for this recipe.
Prepare to Bake the Cookies
If desired, sprinkle the cookie dough with decorating sugar, nonpareils, or sugar pearls. Bake in preheated oven for 7-9 minutes until cookies are lightly golden along the edges.
Remove from oven and cool on wire racks. You may store the cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2-3 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. This recipe makes 30-36 cookies.
Serve German Spritz Butter Cookies for a special occasion or tea party with hot tea or a cool, refreshing beverage such as Sparkling Raspberry Mint Lemonade. I hope you will enjoy this cookie recipe as much as we do! Guten Appetit!
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German Spritz Butter Cookies
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Princess Cake and Cookie Flavoring
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- food coloring gel (optional)
- 3 tablespoons decorating sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Gather all your equipment and ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until well blended. Add large egg, Princess Cake and Cookie Flavoring, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Gradually mix in flour until a nice, soft dough forms. At this point, you may add food coloring of your choice. (For this recipe, I divided the dough and made 2/3 of it pink and 1/3 green. Mix in coloring gel with and electric beater or your hands until fully incorporated.)
Form the Spritz Cookies
- Fill cookie press cylinder with dough and press cookies out onto an ungreased baking sheet. You may also use a silicone baking mat, but be sure the mat is completely clean with no greasy residue on it or the dough will not stick to the mat. The same goes for your baking sheet.
- Place the bottom of the cookie press flat against the baking sheet and click the handle once or twice until the dough adheres to the pan. Sometimes I click once, while other times, it needs two. If the dough design isn’t adequate, simply scrape it up and put it back into the dough scraps for another try. I usually fill my cylinder 2-3 times for this recipe.
Prepare to Bake the Cookies
- If desired, sprinkle the cookie dough with decorating sugar, nonpareils, or sugar pearls. Bake in preheated oven for 7-9 minutes until cookies are lightly golden along the edges.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire racks. You may store the cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2-3 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. This recipe makes 30-36 cookies.
I hope you will enjoy this recipe as much as we do!