Description
Festive spritz cookies dance with buttery richness, delivering classic holiday cheer through delicate pressed cookie shapes. Crisp, delicate edges and sweet vanilla notes invite winter celebrations while promising pure comfort for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¼ cups (293 g / 10.4 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (224 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup (155 g / 5.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp salt
- Red gel icing color, optional
- Green gel icing color, optional
- Sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preparation: Position an oven rack in the middle and preheat to 350°F. Line sheet trays with silicone baking mats to create an ideal surface for delicate spritz cookies.
- Creaming: Whip butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, developing a cloud-like volume that indicates thorough blending.
- Liquid Integration: Incorporate egg, vanilla, and almond extracts into the butter mixture, stirring until the elements combine into a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Dough Formation: Gradually sift flour and salt into the wet ingredients, folding gently to create a cohesive dough. Avoid overmixing to maintain the dough’s delicate texture.
- Color Infusion: Divide the dough into sections and gently work gel food coloring through each portion, creating soft, even hues without compromising the dough’s structure.
- Shaping and Decorating: Load a cookie press with dough, selecting intricate discs to create unique shapes. Press cookies onto prepared baking surfaces, spacing them minimally. Sprinkle decorative elements lightly across the unbaked cookies.
- Baking and Cooling: Bake for 6-7 minutes in the preheated oven until edges show a subtle golden tinge. Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire cooling racks to reach room temperature.
- Storage: Once completely cooled, arrange cookies in an airtight container to preserve their delicate texture and festive charm.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for a smooth, creamy mixture that incorporates air perfectly, creating light and delicate cookies.
- Color Mixing Technique: Add gel food coloring sparingly and knead gently to maintain dough’s texture, preventing overworking that could make cookies tough.
- Press with Precision: Keep cookie press clean and slightly chilled for crisp, defined shapes that release smoothly without sticking or distorting.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack, preventing breakage and helping them set properly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg