If there’s one Christmas cookie recipe that has stood the test of time in my family, it’s
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Spritz Cookies
. These delicate, buttery cookies have been passed from one generation to the next, tucked inside flour-stained recipe cards and remembered in the muscle memory of mothers and grandmothers who could make them without measuring a thing.
They’re simple, nostalgic, beautiful—and the perfect holiday cookie for gifting, decorating, or keeping all to yourself with a cup of hot coffee.
Whether this is your first time using a cookie press or you’ve been making spritz cookies since you were little, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic, buttery flavor
just like Grandma made - Zero chilling required
— the dough goes straight into the cookie press - Perfect for holiday cookie trays
- Light, tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture
- Fun shapes
(trees, wreaths, flowers, snowflakes — you name it!) - Quick bake time
, which is a lifesaver in December
Ingredients for Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Spritz Cookies
These pantry staples come together to create the classic spritz texture and flavor:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon almond extract (the secret to classic spritz flavor)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Holiday sprinkles (optional but highly encouraged!)
How to Make Perfect Spritz Cookies
1. Cream the Butter & Sugar
Beat softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is what gives spritz cookies their iconic tender crumb.
2. Add Egg & Extract
Mix in the egg and almond extract until fully combined. Almond extract is what separates “good” spritz cookies from unforgettable ones—don’t skip it!
3. Add the Dry Ingredients
Slowly stir in the flour, baking powder and salt. You want a soft dough that’s not sticky but presses easily through your cookie gun.
4. Use the Cookie Press
Fill your cookie press with dough and press shapes directly onto an
un-greased
cookie sheet. (Greasing the sheet prevents the dough from sticking during pressing.)
5. Decorate
Add sprinkles, dip in chocolate, coarse sugar, or leave them plain for a buttery, classic look.
6. Bake
Bake at
375°F for 10-12 minutes
, until the edges are
just
turning golden. These cookies bake fast!
7. Cool & Store
Let them cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack. Store in an airtight tin or freezer-safe container. They stay soft for days and freeze beautifully.
Tips for the
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Spritz Cookies
- Use
room-temperature butter
, not melted. - Avoid chilling the dough—cold dough won’t press easily.
- Use
light-colored baking sheets
for even browning. - If cookies won’t stick to the pan when pressing, chill the pan for 5 minutes.
- Add food coloring to the dough for festive colors!
How to Store & Freeze
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Spritz Cookies
These cookies store exceptionally well:
- Counter:
up to 1 week in an airtight container - Freezer:
up to 3 months (freeze flat layers between wax paper)
They’re perfect for cookie boxes, teacher gifts, or stocking the freezer for holiday guests.
Equipment used to make
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Spritz Cookies
Hand Mixer
USA Nonstick Pans
Cookie Press
Almond flavoring
Final Thoughts
Every family has that one recipe that carries the warmth of the holidays with it. For me, it’s these spritz cookies. Light, buttery, delicate, and nostalgic, they’re everything I want December baking to be. I hope this recipe finds a special place in your home too—and maybe even becomes a tradition for the next generation.
If you make them, tag me—I love seeing your family traditions come to life.
Eten en Voeden’s Organic, Easy Baking Mixes.
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Grandma's Old Fashioned Spritz Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond flavoring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add almond flavoring and egg. Cream for another minute until well incorporated.
- Sift together flour, salt and baking powder.
- Add in flour mixture and slowly mix until fully combined.
- Add mixture to a cookie press.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Then dip in chocolate, decorate as desired or enjoy plain!
