Description
Old Fashioned Spritz Cookies are classic buttery shortbread cookies pressed into charming shapes and decorated with colorful candy melts and sprinkles. These delightful cookies combine a rich buttery dough with the sweet crunch of candy-coated sprinkles, making them perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion. They are baked to a tender crisp and dipped in smooth melted candy for a festive finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp clear vanilla flavoring
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
Decorations
- 8 ounce bag red candy melts
- 8 ounce bag green candy melts
- Nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter: Using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 1 to 1½ minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Sugar: Add the granulated sugar to the creamed butter and continue mixing for another minute until well combined and slightly airy.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, clear vanilla flavoring, and almond extract on medium-low speed until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour while mixing on low speed. Mix just until the flour is fully incorporated to avoid overworking the dough.
- Prepare Cookie Press: Select decorator disks on your cookie press according to your desired shapes and fill the press tube with the prepared dough.
- Press Cookies: Press the cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart. Optionally, sprinkle some cookies with nonpareil sprinkles for extra decoration.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies at 375°F for 8 minutes until they are lightly golden and set.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt Candy Melts: Divide each candy melt bag in half. Place half of the green candy melts in one microwave-safe bowl and half of the red candy melts in another. Microwave each bowl for 1 minute, stir, then continue microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
- Dip Cookies: Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted candy melts of your choice, fully coating one side.
- Decorate and Dry: Place dipped cookies on parchment paper and immediately sprinkle the candy-coated section with nonpareil sprinkles. Allow the candy coating to fully set and harden before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best texture.
- Room temperature egg blends more evenly into the dough.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Use decorator disks on the cookie press to create various shapes for variety.
- Nonpareil sprinkles add a festive look and slight crunch; you can use other decorative sprinkles if preferred.
- Allow candy melts to cool and harden completely before stacking or packing the cookies to avoid smudging.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spritz cookies, butter cookies, holiday cookies, cookie press cookies, candy melts, festive cookies
