The traditional Almond Spritz Cookies recipe is one of the easiest Christmas cookie recipes you can bake. Buttery Spritz cookies are perfect for your Christmas Cookie Exchange or office party when you need to make a large batch of cookies or a small batch of cookies. Spritz Christmas cookies are easy to decorate and can be decorated in many ways.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the all purpose flour and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large and deep mixing bowl cream the softened butter and the granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes.
Add the egg, milk, vanilla extract and almond extract to the bowl. Beat with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer until well combined and fluffy.
Gradually add the flour to the bowl in three increments, beating the flour until it is mixed in well after each addition. If using a hand mixer and it starts to strain use a wooden spoon to finish combing the flour into the cookie dough.
Place the desired cookie shape disk on the bottom of the cookie press. Fill the cookie press with about one cup of cookie dough or until the cookie press barrel is full. Being sure you have pressed out all the air pockets.
Screw the cookie press handle on. Check to make sure the handle is in the locked position. Squeeze a few practice cookies out.
Place the cookie press flat against the cookie sheet squeeze the handle twice and lift straight up to form a cookie. Repeat until your cookie sheet is filled. Leave an inch between each cookie.
Bake at 350 F. degrees for 9 to 12 minutes. Do not over bake. Cookies should be lightly golden around the edges.
Place the hot cookie sheet on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Use a very thin metal spatula to lift the cooled cookies off the cookie sheet. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
Decorate the cookies with a powdered sugar glaze and sprinkles if desired.
Makes about 48 cookies.
Recipe Expert Tips
Expert Spritz Cookie Tips
What type of cookie sheet to use for Spritz Cookies? In the case of making Spritz cookies with a cookie press you will need a cookie sheet with a slightly rough texture so the soft Spritz cookie dough will stick to the cookie sheet as you press and release the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet. Do not use a non stick cookie sheet. The Spritz cookie dough will not adhere to the slick cookie sheet. Use an aluminum cookie sheet for best results.
Baking sheets: An un-greased Aluminum baking sheet is a must when using a
Spritz cookie press. The spritz cookie dough will not stick to non-stick baking sheets.
Pressing the dough: When pressing Spritz cookies it is best to use dough that is room temperature. Cold Spritz cookie dough is difficult to extrude through a cookie dough press.
Chilled Spritz dough: If using chilled Spritz cookie dough allow the Spritz cookie dough to come to room temperature before filling the Spritz cookie press with the dough.
Baking sheet prep: After baking a tray of Spritz cookies wipe the baking tray clean with a paper towel to remove any melted butter and cookie crumbs from the baking sheet.
The cookie press: Depending on the cookie press you are using you may need to click the trigger once or twice when forming a Spritz cookie. You may need to experiment a number of times before you get the technique right.
Baking the cookies: Spritz cookies should be a pale color with just a hint of golden brown along the edge of each cookie.
Coloring Spritz cookie dough: I used Americolor Avocado green gel food coloring for the Christmas Tree Spritz cookies.