Christmas is a time for joy, family, and delicious treats. One of the best ways to celebrate this season is by baking cookies. Among the many delightful cookie options, Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies hold a special place. These cookies are not only easy to make, but they are also fun to decorate. They melt in your mouth and look beautiful on any holiday dessert tray. If you’re looking for a simple yet festive cookie to make, Spritz Cookies are the perfect choice.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies brings a lot of joy to your holiday season. First, the dough is quick to prepare, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced bakers. The combination of butter and margarine in this recipe creates a rich and tender cookie that melts in your mouth.
Another reason to make these cookies is the fun of decorating. You can use gel food coloring to create vibrant colors, and you can also add sprinkles or other toppings to match your holiday theme. Plus, they are perfect for sharing with friends and family or giving as gifts.
Lastly, these cookies are versatile. You can change the colors and toppings to make them fit any occasion, making them more than just a Christmas treat. Overall, Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies are a festive and enjoyable way to spread holiday cheer.
How to Make Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
Making Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies is a straightforward process that requires common ingredients and minimal time. You will be delighted to see how easy it is to prepare this tasty holiday treat.
Ingredients
To make these delicious cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 stick margarine, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
- Optional gel food coloring
Directions
Follow these simple steps to prepare Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies:
Prepare the Butter Mixture: Start by getting a mixing bowl. Place the softened unsalted butter and margarine into it. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat them together. Keep mixing until the mixture gets light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
Add Sugar and Eggs: Gradually mix in the sugar. You can add it slowly to ensure it mixes well with the butter and margarine. Once the sugar is well combined, crack one egg into the bowl. Beat it until fully mixed, then add the second egg. Mix well.
Incorporate Vanilla: Next, pour in the vanilla extract. This adds a lovely flavor to your cookies. Mix until the vanilla is fully incorporated.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, add the all-purpose flour, pinch of salt, and baking powder. Stir the dry ingredients together until you don’t see any lumps. This ensures even distribution in the dough.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Now it’s time to combine the wet and dry mixtures. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Be gentle while mixing to keep the dough light and fluffy.
Chill the Dough: After mixing, wrap the dough in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to chill for about 15 minutes. This will help the dough firm up, making it easier to handle.
Chill the Baking Pan: While the dough chills, place your baking pan in the refrigerator. Chilling the pan helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Prepare the Cookie Press: Once the dough is chilled, it’s time to load it into the cookie press. Make sure to follow the instructions for your specific cookie press.
Adjust Dough Consistency: If you find the dough too soft, chill it for a bit longer. If it’s too stiff, let it warm up slightly until you can handle it better.
Press the Cookies: Shape the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet using the cookie press. You can create fun shapes like stars, trees, or circles. Be creative!
Add Decorations: Before baking, sprinkle festive toppings on the cookies if you like. This is a great way to add a personal touch.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once ready, place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary.
Cool and Enjoy: After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
Serving Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies can be as simple as placing them on a festive platter. They look great with their colorful decorations. You can serve them as a dessert at your holiday gathering, or you can offer them with coffee and tea. They also make charming gifts when packaged nicely in a cookie tin or box. Add a little ribbon and a tag to bring extra cheer.
How to Store Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
To keep your Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. You can stack them in layers, separating each layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container and layer them with parchment paper. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you want to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature.
Tips to Make Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
Use Fresh Ingredients: Always check your butter, eggs, and baking powder for freshness to ensure the best rise and flavor.
Chill the Dough: Do not skip chilling the dough. It helps the cookies hold their shape and makes them easier to press.
Experiment with Flavors: While vanilla is classic, you can try adding almond extract or lemon zest for a different taste.
Colorful Cookies: If using gel food coloring, add a little at a time until you reach the desired shade. Mix it in thoroughly to avoid streaks.
Adjust Cooking Time: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Some ovens cook differently, so check them a few minutes before the timer goes off.
Variation
You can easily customize these cookies. Here are a few fun variations you can try:
- Chocolate Spritz: Add 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry mix for a chocolate version.
- Nutty Spritz: Fold in 1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the dough before pressing.
- Citrusy Spritz: Incorporate some lemon or orange zest for a bright, fresh flavor.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
2. Can I use different types of flour?
While all-purpose flour works best for this recipe, you can experiment with other types. Just remember that this may affect the texture and taste of the cookies.
3. Can I use a regular cookie cutter instead of a cookie press?
Yes! If you don’t have a cookie press, you can roll the dough into balls and flatten them or use cookie cutters for fun shapes. Just remember to adjust the baking time if the cookies are thicker.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have a batch of beautiful Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies ready to enjoy and share. Happy baking!
Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Place the softened unsalted butter and margarine in a mixing bowl and beat them together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually mix in the sugar, ensuring it combines well with the butter and margarine.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, stirring until lumps disappear.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing gently to retain fluffiness.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for about 15 minutes.
- Chill your baking pan in the refrigerator during this time.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Load the chilled dough into the cookie press and shape on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Add festive toppings before baking.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.