Description
Buttery Italian spritz cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for holidays or special occasions. These classic cookies are made with simple ingredients, piped into festive shapes, and often topped with colorful sprinkles or chocolate drizzles.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For decoration:
- Colored sprinkles
- Melted chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Cream the butter and sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the wet ingredients:
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Fill the cookie press or piping bag:
- Transfer the dough to a cookie press fitted with your favorite shape disk, or use a piping bag with a star tip to create festive shapes directly onto the baking sheets.
- Decorate:
- Add sprinkles or colored sugar to the cookies before baking, if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional chocolate drizzle:
- Once cooled, drizzle or dip the cookies in melted chocolate and let them set on parchment paper.
Notes
- For best results, use room-temperature butter for easy mixing and smooth cookie shapes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Experiment with different extracts, like lemon or orange, for a citrus twist.