Quick & Easy Joy Of Cooking Spritz Cookie Recipe for Beginners

Spritz cookies represent a delightful culinary tradition that transforms simple ingredients into magical moments of sweetness.

Generations of home bakers have cherished these delicate, pressed cookies for their elegant simplicity and rich flavor profile.

Butter plays a crucial role in creating their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture, giving each bite a luxurious, tender sensation.

German bakers popularized this technique using a special cookie press to shape intricate, beautiful designs with remarkable precision.

The soft dough allows creative bakers to experiment with different shapes, colors, and decorative elements that make each batch unique.

Crisp edges and a tender center characterize these beloved treats that connect families through shared baking experiences.

Memories of holiday gatherings and warm kitchen moments emerge with every carefully crafted spritz cookie: get ready to create your own delicious tradition!

Savor The Buttery Crunch Of Spritz Cookie Recipe

• Create Delicate Cookie Artworks: Transform simple ingredients into elegant spritz cookies that look like they're straight from a bakery display, with intricate patterns that make every bite a visual delight.
• Enjoy Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up these delightful treats in under 30 minutes, perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or when you need a fast dessert that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Sweet Masterpiece: Play with decorative options like sprinkles, candied nuts, or colored sugars to personalize each cookie, making them unique and matching any celebration or mood.

Key Ingredients For Spritz Cookie Recipe

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning and crisp edges.
• Egg Yolks: Contributes richness, moisture, and helps bind the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure and texture to the spritz cookies.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Sprinkles, Candied Nuts, Cherries, Colored Sugars: Optional toppings for visual appeal and added texture.

How To Shape Spritz Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Chill 2 baking sheets in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Sugar

Blend until light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Flavor Enhancers

• Egg yolks
• Vanilla extract

Combine until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

• Salt
• All-purpose flour

Mix thoroughly until a consistent dough forms.

Step 5: Shape Delicate Cookies

Choose your preferred method:

• Load dough into a cookie press
• Use decorative plate attachment
• Press cookies onto chilled baking sheets

• Transfer dough to pastry bag
• Pipe star or rose-shaped designs on baking sheets

Step 6: Decorate with Flair

• Colorful sprinkles
• Candied nuts
• Maraschino cherries
• Colored sugar crystals

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 9-13 minutes until edges turn a light golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack

Allow cookies to cool completely before serving.

Handy Advice For Spritz Cookie Recipe

• Perfect Cookie Edges: Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking for even, golden-brown borders.
• Spritz Precision: Use steady, consistent pressure when pressing dough through cookie press to create uniform shapes.
• Temperature Control: Allow pressed cookies to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking to help maintain intricate details.
• Clean Press Technique: Wipe cookie press completely between batches to prevent dough buildup and ensure smooth cookie formation.
• Cooling Strategy: Transfer delicate spritz cookies to wire rack immediately after baking to prevent continued cooking on hot baking sheet.

Storage Tips For Spritz Cookie Recipe

• Airtight Container Method: Seal cooled spritz cookies in a hard-sided container lined with parchment paper between layers. Prevents moisture and maintains crisp texture, ensuring cookies remain fresh and delicate for maximum enjoyment.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Carefully stack cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Wrap tightly to block freezer odors and preserve delicate butter flavor. Ideal for long-term storage up to 3 months without compromising taste or quality.
• Room Temperature Storage Method: Place cookies in a ceramic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Best consumed within 10-14 days for optimal crispness and buttery richness.

Creative Twists On Spritz Cookie Recipe

• Festive Holiday Spritz: Transform classic spritz cookies into seasonal delights by incorporating crushed candy canes into the dough and using holiday-themed cookie press designs for Christmas celebrations.
• Citrus Burst Variation: Enhance the traditional recipe by adding lemon or orange zest to the butter-sugar mixture, creating a bright, refreshing flavor profile that pairs perfectly with afternoon tea.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the flour before combining, then top with chocolate drizzle or dip half the baked cookie in melted dark chocolate for an indulgent twist.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold finely chopped almonds or pecans into the dough, then sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top before baking to add texture and rich, toasted flavor.

Parting Thoughts On Spritz Cookie Recipe

Spritz cookies whisper holiday memories with delicate German-style precision.

Classic butter cookies dance between crisp elegance and sweet simplicity.

Delightful patterns emerge from carefully pressed dough, celebrating culinary artistry.

Kitchen aromas transport holiday cheer through generations of baking traditions.

Holiday gatherings sparkle with these delicate, buttery treats that connect family and friends.

Your cookie adventure awaits – share this recipe, inspire fellow bakers, spread seasonal joy, and create delicious connections that warm hearts.

Joy Of Cooking Spritz Cookie Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Spritz cookies from Joy of Cooking bring classic German holiday cheer with buttery, delicate shortbread magic. Pressed through a cookie gun and decorated with festive sprinkles, these tender treats melt in your mouth and connect you to cherished family baking traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks (32 grams), at room temperature

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons (6 grams) pure vanilla extract (optional)

Finishing Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon (1 gram) kosher salt
• candied cherries, nuts, colored sprinkles, or colored sugars

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Instructions

1. Chill two baking sheets in the refrigerator while preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C), ensuring optimal cookie texture and spread.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the delicate cookies.
3. Carefully incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until thoroughly combined and uniform in color.
4. Gently fold in salt and all-purpose flour, stirring until the dough reaches a consistent texture without overmixing.
5. Select your preferred shaping method: use a cookie press with a decorative plate attachment for precise, uniform cookies or transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a star or rose tip.
6. Carefully press or pipe the cookie dough onto the chilled baking sheets, leaving adequate space between each cookie for potential spreading.
7. Embellish the unbaked cookies with an array of decorative elements such as colorful sprinkles, finely chopped candied nuts, vibrant glacé cherries, or sparkling colored sugars.
8. Position the prepared baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9-13 minutes, watching for a delicate golden-brown rim that indicates perfect doneness.
9. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes to firm up slightly.
10. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them cool completely to achieve the ideal crisp texture and maximize flavor development.

Notes

• Room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a smoother, more uniform cookie dough.
• Cold baking sheets prevent cookie spread, maintaining crisp edges and precise shapes.
• Creative plate attachments transform ordinary cookies into stunning culinary artworks.
• Precise baking times protect delicate textures, delivering perfectly golden-brown treats every time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 129
• Sugar: 0.68 g
• Sodium: 0.02 g
• Fat: 7.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15.8 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1.6 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg