Press Cookies Recipe (or Spritz Cookies) are buttery, delicate, and fun to make! This classic press cookies recipe has been delighting bakers in Europe for centuries, especially in Germany and Scandinavia. Traditionally served during holidays, press cookies are loved for their crisp edges, tender centers, and the charming shapes you can create with a cookie press. Flowers, stars, wreaths, and more can all be made using this easy press cookies recipe.
These cookies are perfect for a creative afternoon in the kitchen, especially if you enjoy baking with kids. The dough is soft and easy to work with, and with a few flavourings like vanilla, almond, and a hint of lemon, each cookie bursts with buttery sweetness.
Ingredients
- 225g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/3 – 2/3 cup fine baking sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 290g all-purpose flour
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Recipe Instruction
- Cream the butter and sugar
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take a few minutes and is key for soft, tender cookies. - Add the egg yolks and flavorings
Beat in the egg yolks one at a time. Then add the vanilla, lemon, and almond extracts, mixing until fully incorporated. - Incorporate the dry ingredients
Add the flour and salt, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix. - Prepare for pressing
Fill your cookie press with a portion of dough (or transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip). Press or pipe the cookies onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each cookie. Keep the remaining dough in the fridge while you work in batches. - Bake
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through for even baking. They should be lightly golden at the edges. - Cool
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Tricks for Press Cookies Recipe
Chill the dough between batches to keep it firm for pressing and do not overfill the cookie press to avoid a mess. This press cookies recipe also keeps well in airtight containers, staying crisp for days.
The only downside is that you need a cookie press to get the authentic shapes, but if you do not have one, a piping bag with a star tip works just as well.
A Bit of History and Tradition
The name comes from the German word “spritzen”, which means to squirt or press. This press cookies recipe uses the same method, pushing dough through a cookie press to create delicate, decorative shapes.
Press cookies are especially popular around Christmas and other festive occasions in Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia. Baking this press cookies recipe is often a family affair, turning the kitchen into a mini cookie factory full of laughter and sweet smells.
What Makes Them Special
- Crisp on the edges, tender in the center
- Flavored with vanilla, almond, and sometimes a hint of lemon
- Traditionally shaped into stars, wreaths, trees, flowers, and braids using a cookie press
Fun Fact:
Press cookies were originally a clever way to make simple dough look fancy even if you were not a decorating pro. They also make wonderful gifts thanks to their uniform, picture-perfect shapes.
Modern Twists:
You can give this press cookies recipe a fun, contemporary touch by dipping the cookie ends in chocolate, decorating them with colorful sprinkles, or coating them in sparkling sanding sugar. These simple additions transform classic cookies into playful, festive treats that are perfect for parties, holiday celebrations, or just brightening up an ordinary day.
