Old Fashioned Spritz Cookie Recipe
Spritz Cookies are one of those classic cookie recipes that never goes out of style.
Not only are they buttery and crisp, they’re really versatile being how you decorate them for any occasion!
These cookies are always a hit. You’ve probably seen them on holiday trays, but once you make them yourself, you’ll realize just how simple (and fun!) they are to whip up.
Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a party, or just because, learn how to get that perfect texture, the easiest way to use a cookie press, and little tricks to keep them looking as good as they taste.
Why are they called spritz cookies?
The name comes from the German word spritzen, which means “to press”, referring to how the dough is pressed through a cookie press to make those fun, decorative shapes.
What are the ingredients in spritz cookies?
- Butter – The star of this recipe! it gives the cookies their melt-in-your-mouth flavor and helps create that tender, crisp texture.
- Sugar – adds sweetness, of course, but it also helps the cookies hold their delicate structure while baking. It’s just the right amount so the buttery flavor still shines through.
- Egg Yolks – The yolks give the dough richness and help bind everything together. They also add a bit of color and softness, so the cookies aren’t dry or crumbly.
- Vanilla Extract – Vanilla rounds out the flavor and makes the cookies taste warm and comforting. Even though it’s a small amount, it makes a big difference.
- Almond Extract – While it’s optional, this is what gives spritz cookies their signature flavor. A little goes a long way—it adds a sweet, nutty note that makes these cookies stand out.
- All-Purpose Flour & Salt – Flour is the base of the dough, giving the cookies structure so they hold their pretty pressed shapes while staying light and delicate. The small pinch of salt works alongside it to balance the sweetness and bring out all the buttery, nutty flavors—without it, the cookies can taste a little flat.
The best part? These are all simple pantry staples!
How to Make Spritz Cookies
- Start by preheating the oven to 350°F.
- While you are getting the dough ready, chill the baking sheets in the fridge to help the dough stick and hold its shape when pressed.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the egg yolks and extracts.
- Add the dry ingredients and stir until a smooth dough forms.
- Line chilled baking sheets with parchment.
- Load the dough into a cookie press, press shapes directly onto the sheets, and decorate with sprinkles.
- Don’t overfill the press: Add a little dough at a time so you can switch discs and make a variety of fun shapes.
- Bake for about 10 minutes until lightly golden, then cool on a wire rack.
The real secret is all in the dough and the pan. Make sure your butter and eggs are truly at room temperature so the dough presses smoothly, and always use a cool, ungreased baking sheet—this helps the cookies stick when you press them out and keeps their pretty shapes intact. From there, it’s just about keeping things simple: don’t overmix and don’t overbake.
If the dough isn’t sticking, your baking sheet might be too warm or too greasy.
Yes! You can pipe the dough with a large piping tip, though the shapes won’t be as crisp. A press just makes it quicker and more uniform.
Sugar cookies are rolled out and cut into shapes, which makes them sturdier and often decorated with icing or frosting. Spritz cookies, on the other hand, use a cookie press to form delicate designs. They’re lighter, more buttery, and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture compared to the slightly chewier sugar cookie.
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If you’re baking spritz cookies, you’ll love these other festive ideas too:
- Learn How to Keep Christmas Cookies Fresh! These simple tips will have your cookies staying soft, chewy, and ready to enjoy all season long.
- Hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange? Grab these Christmas Exchange Printables to help you throw a fun, stress-free party everyone will remember.
- These Cookie Press Recipes are perfect if you want to try more treats with your cookie press and explore different shapes and flavors. Learn how to use your cookie press and which cookie presses are the best to bake picture perfect cookies.
Old Fashioned Spritz Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Chill the baking sheets in the refrigerator while you are making the dough.
- Prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Note: Use the empty butter wrappers to grease the pans first so the parchment stays flat.
- Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in egg yolks and vanilla and almond extract.
- Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Slowly add in the flour and salt and mix until incorporated.
- Put some of your dough into your cookie press. I like to use a little bit of dough at a time so that you can change your decorative discs.
- Hold your cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet and press the cookies onto your baking sheet.
- Add your sprinkles.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies become slightly golden
Mmm!! Butter cookies are one of my favorite indulgences around the holidays!! They are so melt in your mouth delicious! My son and I will have to make some this year!
Aaah, these look and sound DELICIOUS ???????????? now I really want to bake! Guess that’s my plans for this evening sorted!
Oh these sound so good! It is amazing how a cookie press can make such a difference! Also nothing beats the old style cookie presses that are hard to find now-a-days
These cookies would be a great addition to our holiday tradition of making and decorating cookies on Christmas Eve! Your daughter looks like she had fun making them!
I am all over getting cookies! This time of year I know I gain weight because of all the sweet stuff. It’s worth it because in January I start dieting again and that I will be able to look back at the yummy stuff I ate over the holidays LOL. I can’t wait to try these cookies.
There is no cookie better for an occasion than butter cookies. Keep your chocolate chips and your peanut butter. Give me butter cookies!
I adore butter cookies! I’m not sure if I’ve ever had Italian butter cookies, but if I haven’t, I will soon! Om nom nom.
Those cookies look amazing and so delicately delicious. I am not Italian but these cookies make me want those great recipes. I wish I could bake something like this.
Those cookies look so good! They are exactly the kind I want to make with my kids.
These kinds of cookies are always a favorite at the holidays. I make them every year too. Making cookies is something that gets passed down
I LOVE Christmas cookies and so do the kids. I really enjoy making them too. These butter cookies are adorable and just the right size. Thanks for the recipe!
I love butter cookies. They are a family favorite. I love that you bake them with your daughter. What a fantastic tradition.
I’m always on the lookout for new cookie recipes to try for the holidays and this one looks like a perfect one to bookmark. I’ve tasted Italian Butter Cookies before but never had a good recipe to follow. Now I can make some myself!
I love these kinds of cookies. I have never tried making them before though. I’m going to save this so I can make them soon.
Oh yum! I can’t wait to make some Christmas cookies this year. These would be perfect!
Oh my goodness! These lovely cookies are pulling on my heart strings! My mother always made spritz cookies during the holidays and they looked exactly like your cookies. I’m flooded with heartfelt memories right now. 😉
Those look buttery and delicious …. I’ll have to add this to our Christmas baking list.
These are the kinds of recipes that make your holidays complete. And having the little helpers doesn’t hurt either! I love these memories – all made perfect with cookies!
That looks delicious! Such a great treat for the holidays!
Wow you just reminded me of a childhood memory my Mom made these every year for us until I was 12.
I love a great butter cookie recipe. I am going to have to give these a try for the Holidays, they look really yummy.
These cookies look so good! I’ve never heard of the Italian butter ones but I so want to try them.
These look so yummy! What a great recipe to follow with my little cooking helper! She would love to be in charge of the sprinkles too!
These Italian Butter Cookies look like they would melt in your mouth! They would go perfectly with a nice cup of Folgers coffee!
How great is it that you found and get to use your grandmother’s cookie press. We do a lot of baking over the holidays. I will have to add these cookies to the list.
I’ve always loved making cookies with mom during the holidays. She would make a ton of goodies to give out to family and friends. Seeing these pictures of you and your girls making these delicious butter cookies brings back such memories.
Awe such a great post! Reminds me of when I was in the kitchen with my mom as a kid. We always had butter cookies at Christmas.
So yummy! Your daughter looks like she’s having a blast making cookies and I bet they go great with that Foldgers coffee!
These look and sound amazingly delicious! My Grandfather used to have these during the Holidays and I miss them so much.
I don’t believe I ever had Italian butter cookies before. However, it looks and sounds pretty amazing!
Those cookies look scrumptious and that time with your lil one baking is so precious. I loved helping out my mum making Diwali sweets. I hope to do the same with my son once he is older.
Those look so good. I’d even buy a cookies press for them.
Italian + Butter + Cookies = YUM! This Italian family will LOVE making these for the holidays! What a fun tradition to start with my daughters.
Thank you for sharing your family recipe! We always buy those cheap little butter cookies in the holiday tins, but this year I will make yours! Thanks!!!
These look quite good. I am a big fan of butter cookies. These remind me quite a bit of Spritz cookies. Perhaps this is the Italian version.
I also recently found my cookie press that I haven’t used in years. Thank you for sharing this recipe, perfect timing for making holiday treats and surprising my children and grandchildren.
They look delicious, Reesa! I love the vintage cookie press!
Yum! I always have a tin of butter cookies on hand, but I believe they are Danish. I don’t think I have ever had Italian butter cookies before, but they sound delicious! I am definitely going to have to make some soon, thanks for sharing! 🙂
I grew up in an Italian family. Cooking around the holidays was a huge treat for us. We took pride in our cooking! My grandma used to make Butter Cookies like these. Awesome and pin worthy!! Thank you for sharing!
I love hearing this!!