Introduction

Old Fashioned Spritz Cookies are a delightful classic treat, perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a buttery, tender cookie. These festive cookies are beautifully decorated with colorful candy melts and sprinkles, bringing both charm and flavor to your cookie plate.

The image shows a white tray lined with white paper that has red patterns, filled with light beige Christmas tree-shaped cookies. Each cookie has a smooth, slightly crumbly texture and is dipped halfway in either red or green icing. The icing is decorated with small round multicolored sprinkles. The cookies are layered, some stacked slightly above others, filling the tray in a festive look. The background has blurry Christmas decorations with gold and red colors, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
8 ounce bag red candy melts
8 ounce bag green candy melts
Nonpareil sprinkles

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Using a stand mixer or a medium bowl with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 1 to 1½ minutes until creamy.
Step 3: Add the granulated sugar and continue mixing for 1 more minute until combined.
Step 4: Add the egg, clear vanilla flavoring, and almond extract. Mix on medium-low speed until the mixture is well combined.
Step 5: Add the all-purpose flour and mix on low speed just until the flour is fully incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Select decorator disks for each color and fill a cookie press tube with the cookie dough.
Step 7: Press the cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet in shapes, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart. Optionally, sprinkle a few cookies with nonpareil sprinkles.
Step 8: Bake the cookies for 8 minutes, then allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Pour half of the green candy melts into one small heat-safe bowl and half of the red candy melts into another.
Step 10: Microwave one bowl of candy melts for 1 minute, stir, then continue microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until the melts are smooth and fully melted. Repeat with the other bowl.
Step 11: Dip each cookie halfway into a candy melt color of your choice. Place the dipped cookies on parchment paper.
Step 12: While the candy coating is still wet, evenly sprinkle nonpareils over the dipped section. Let the candy melts harden completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a different flavor twist, try substituting the almond extract with orange or lemon extract.
If you don’t have a cookie press, you can shape the dough using small cookie scoops and gently flatten them with the back of a fork.
Use different colored candy melts to match seasonal themes or party colors.
Store cookies in a single layer to preserve the delicate candy coating and sprinkles.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Make sure the candy coating is fully hardened before stacking the cookies to avoid smudging. To refresh the crispness, let cookies come to room temperature if refrigerated. Avoid refrigerating as moisture can soften the candy coating.

How to Serve

A close-up of Christmas-shaped cookies in a white metal container lined with white paper that has red snowflake designs. The cookies are pale beige with a soft texture, shaped like Christmas trees and flowers. The Christmas tree cookies have green and red icing covering half of the tree shape, sprinkled with small round colorful candy bits. The flower-shaped cookies have colorful candy sprinkles on the top center. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with similar colorful sprinkles, all placed on a white marbled surface with scattered sprinkles and red Christmas ornaments. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before pressing and baking. Let the dough sit at room temperature briefly before using to make it easier to press.

What if I don’t have a cookie press?

You can shape the dough by hand or use cookie cutters. Another option is to roll the dough into balls and gently flatten them with a fork for a simple alternative.