These Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are the kind that make holiday trays shine and weekday coffee breaks a little more special. With their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery vanilla flavor, they strike that nostalgic note we all crave. Made with a cookie press, these festive treats can be shaped into wreaths, flowers, and stars, then sprinkled with colored sugar or drizzled with chocolate.
Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange or prepping for a quiet night with tea, spritz cookies are a go-to. Their simple dough comes together quickly, and you can make dozens in a single batch—perfect for sharing or freezing. They’re classic, reliable, and delicious every time.
What Kind of Cookie Press Should I Use?
A traditional metal cookie press or modern plastic version will both do the trick here. Look for one with various disc shapes to keep things fun. If your dough isn’t sticking to the sheet, try chilling your pans and pressing directly onto the ungreased surface.
Ingredients for the Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How To Make the Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Step 2: Add the Egg and Extracts
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually stir in the flour and salt. The dough will be soft but not sticky.
Step 4: Press the Cookies
Transfer the dough to your cookie press fitted with your favorite disc. Press directly onto an ungreased, cool baking sheet. Space cookies about 1 inch apart.
Step 5: Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. Let them cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Serving and Storing Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
These cookies are perfect with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa and fit right in on any dessert platter. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months—layer parchment between cookies to prevent sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my spritz cookies to stick to the pan?
Use an ungreased, cool baking sheet. If they still won’t stick, chill the sheet in the fridge for a few minutes.
Can I color the dough?
Yes! Divide the dough and mix in a few drops of food coloring to each portion before pressing.
What if I don’t have a cookie press?
You can roll the dough into small balls and flatten them with the bottom of a glass or use a piping bag with a large star tip.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Definitely. The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Let it soften slightly before using.
What toppings work best?
Colored sugar, nonpareils, or a drizzle of melted chocolate are all great finishing touches.
Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?
If you love these buttery spritz cookies, try exploring more treats from the Nina Dishes cookie collection:
- Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies for a deeper caramel crunch.
- Lemon Churro Cookies if you’re craving tangy meets warm spice.
- Chocolate Crinkle Sandwich Cookies with a soft ganache center.
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies if you prefer classic nostalgia.
- Brown Sugar Maple Cookies with cozy fall flavor.
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time: Nina Dishes on Pinterest
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use colored sugar or drizzle them with chocolate? Did you try the almond extract or skip it?
I love seeing how others bring these cookies to life. Share your twists or questions—we’re all learning from each other in the kitchen.
Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 4 dozen cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies are a nostalgic favorite with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Their buttery vanilla flavor and festive shapes make them a perfect treat for holidays or cozy days at home.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
2. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
3. Gradually stir in flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
4. Load the dough into a cookie press fitted with your desired shape disc.
5. Press cookies onto a cool, ungreased baking sheet.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, until just golden at the edges.
7. Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Use almond extract for a classic flavor twist.
Chill baking sheets beforehand to help dough stick when pressing.
Freeze extras in layers separated by parchment for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: spritz cookies, holiday cookies, butter cookies
