Classic 5-Ingredient Spritz Cookies: Your Go-To Holiday Baking Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a plate piled high with beautifully decorated spritz cookies. For me, they instantly conjure up cherished holiday memories, bringing a warm, nostalgic feeling to any festive gathering. This particular recipe has been a beloved staple in my kitchen for over two decades, evolving from my trusted thumbprint cookies base. What makes it even more special? You only need five simple ingredients to create these buttery, delicate, and utterly delightful treats!

Why This Spritz Cookie Recipe Is Your Holiday Must-Have

This spritz cookie recipe isn’t just easy; it’s foolproof and consistently delivers stunning results, making it a favorite for busy bakers and seasoned pros alike. Beyond its simplicity, there are several compelling reasons why this particular recipe stands out and earns its spot on countless holiday cookie trays year after year:

• Minimal Ingredients: With only five core ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry (aside from a splash of fresh orange juice), this recipe minimizes your grocery list and maximizes your baking time. It’s perfect for those spontaneous baking urges or when you’re short on time.
• Effortless Dough: The dough for these spritz cookies comes together in a snap. It’s incredibly forgiving and easy to work with, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker. This means less stress in the kitchen and more enjoyment as you create your festive shapes.
• Fun and Engaging Decorating: Using a cookie press is not only efficient but also incredibly fun! It allows you to create beautifully intricate designs with minimal effort, transforming simple dough into works of edible art. It’s a fantastic activity for families, especially with little helpers eager to get involved in the holiday preparations.
• Classic Buttery Flavor: These cookies boast a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth buttery flavor with a subtle hint of citrus from the orange juice. This classic combination is universally loved and pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: While they shine during the holidays, spritz cookies can be adapted for any celebration. Change up the sprinkles, food coloring, or press shapes, and you have a perfect treat for birthdays, showers, or everyday snacking.

The combination of straightforward preparation, delightful taste, and the sheer joy of creating these charming shapes makes this spritz cookie recipe an absolute winner. Prepare to impress your family and friends with these festive, homemade delights!

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Spritz Cookies

One of the beauties of this classic spritz cookie recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You’ll be amazed at how such simple components come together to create such a delectable treat. Here’s a breakdown of the five key ingredients and why they matter:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the structural backbone of our cookies. Make sure to measure it correctly, either by weight for precision or by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly, to avoid a dense cookie.
• Unsalted Butter (Softened, Not Melted): Butter is the star of spritz cookies, contributing to their rich flavor and delicate texture. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the salt content. The “softened, not melted” part is crucial – it should be pliable enough to press a finger into, but not greasy or liquid. This consistency is vital for a dough that presses easily and holds its shape during baking.
• Granulated Sugar: Providing sweetness and aiding in the tender texture, granulated sugar creams beautifully with the butter. It helps create the fine crumb characteristic of spritz cookies.
• Orange Juice: This is our secret ingredient! A quarter cup of orange juice adds a lovely subtle citrus note that brightens the overall flavor profile of the cookies, making them truly irresistible. Freshly squeezed is always best for the most vibrant taste.
• Large Egg Yolk: The egg yolk acts as a binder and adds richness, moisture, and a beautiful golden hue to the cookies. It helps create that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.

And remember, while these five ingredients form the perfect base, you can always add fun decorations like sprinkles, colored sugar, or a chocolate drizzle to make them truly spectacular!

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How to Make Perfect Spritz Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. For a quick reference, you can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions at the bottom of this post.

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, begin by creaming together your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which is essential for a tender cookie. Next, beat in the large egg yolk until well combined. Finally, slowly stream in the orange juice, mixing until fully incorporated. The orange juice adds a delightful subtle tang and moisture to the dough.

2. Add the Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until it is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

3. Chill the Dough: Once your dough is ready, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least one hour. Chilling is a crucial step! It helps the butter firm up, making the dough easier to handle in the cookie press and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. A properly chilled dough will yield crisp, well-defined spritz shapes.

   

4. Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheets: While your dough chills, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190°C). Prepare your insulated baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. It’s essential NOT to grease the baking sheets, as spritz cookies need a surface to cling to when pressed for the best shape. Insulated baking sheets help prevent over-browning on the bottom.

5. Working with the Dough: To ensure optimal results, only remove a portion of the dough from the refrigerator at a time, keeping the rest chilled until you’re ready to use it. This prevents the dough from becoming too warm and soft, which can make it difficult to press and lead to cookies losing their shape.

   

6. Using the Cookie Press: Consult your cookie press manufacturer’s directions for specific assembly, then select your desired decorative plate. Load a portion of the dough into the cookie press. Firmly press out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced approximately 2 inches apart to allow for even baking. If the cookies aren’t sticking, try pressing directly onto an unlined, ungreased cold baking sheet. The slight chill helps the dough adhere. You might need to do a few test presses to get the feel for it.

   

   

   

7. Decorate and Bake: Once pressed, you can immediately add decorative sprinkles or colored sugar to your cookies. These will adhere beautifully before baking. Bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes. For cookies you plan to drizzle with melted chocolate later, skip the sprinkles and colored sugar before baking. It’s important to note that baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven and the size/thickness of your cookies.