Description
Traditional German Butter Cookies (Spritzgebäck) are crisp, buttery, and beautifully pressed into festive shapes that embody the spirit of Christmas. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and simple ingredients, these cookies are a cherished holiday classic passed down through generations. Whether you call them Spritz Butter Cookies, Danish Spritz Cookies, or simply Christmas Press Cookies, they’re perfect for gifting, decorating, or enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or almond extract for Danish variation)
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Add-ins:
- Zest of one lemon or orange for citrus flavor
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
- Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla (or almond extract) until fully combined.
- Incorporate the Flour: Gradually add flour and salt, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Load the Cookie Press: Fill your cookie press with dough and select your favorite disk shape such as stars, wreaths, or flowers.
- Press and Bake: Press cookies directly onto unlined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Let cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle with chocolate, sprinkle with sugar, or decorate as desired.
Notes
- Use room-temperature butter for the perfect dough texture.
- Do not grease baking sheets — cookies press best on unlined metal sheets.
- If the dough is too stiff, add 1 teaspoon of milk to soften it.
- Avoid overbaking — cookies should remain pale golden, not brown.
- Store cookies in airtight tins for up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Traditional German Butter Cookies, Spritzgebäck, Spritz Cookie Recipe for Christmas, Danish Spritz Cookies, Butter Cookies Recipe, Christmas Press Cookies, Holiday Spritz Cookies, Cookie Tin Cookies, German Christmas Cookies, Festive Cookie Recipes