Classic Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies: Your Essential Guide to Festive Holiday Baking

Indulge in the nostalgia of homemade Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies – a perfect holiday tradition that brings warmth and cheer to any celebration. These delightful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, often shaped like festive holly wreaths or charming Christmas trees, are just like the ones you remember from childhood. Get ready to personalize them into any shape your heart desires!

The holiday season is synonymous with baking, and among the countless festive treats, spritz cookies hold a special place in many hearts. These delicate, buttery cookies are not just a delight to eat but also a joy to make, especially with family. While Christmas cookie traditions vary widely from family to family and region to region, spritz cookies possess a universal appeal that everyone seems to know and love. This particular recipe for Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies elevates the classic with a tender texture and subtle richness that you’ll adore. The addition of cream cheese makes these cookies exceptionally soft and gives them a slightly tangy note that perfectly balances their sweetness, creating a truly irresistible treat for your holiday platters.

Growing up, holiday baking often involved a dedicated “spritz cookie day.” We’d experiment with vibrant green cookies adorned with sparkling red hots to mimic holly wreaths, while others were left uncolored, ready to be decorated with an assortment of sprinkles and colored sugars. The beauty of spritz cookies lies in their versatility; your cookie press opens up a world of creative shapes, allowing you to truly make them your own. Whether you prefer intricate stars, charming trees, or classic wreaths, these cookies are a canvas for your festive imagination.

holly wreath spritz cookies on serving tray

What Exactly Are Spritz Cookies? A Deeper Look

The name “spritz” itself offers a clue to the cookie’s unique creation process. It originates from the German word “spritzen,” which literally means “to squirt” or “to squirt out.” This refers to how the cookie dough is extruded or “squirted” through a specialized kitchen tool called a cookie press. The press, a fascinating device often resembling a large syringe, is equipped with various interchangeable metal disks featuring different designs. These disks allow bakers to create intricate and uniform shapes like charming Christmas trees, festive holly wreaths, delicate stars, or even playful animals with remarkable ease and precision. This method makes spritz cookies distinct from other rolled or dropped cookies, giving them their signature detailed and consistent appearance.

One of the most appealing aspects of spritz cookies, beyond their enchanting shapes, is their delightful size and delicate texture. They are typically small, bite-sized morsels that don’t spread significantly during baking. This characteristic means you can fit a generous number of cookies on a single baking sheet, maximizing your oven space and efficiency – a huge advantage during the busy holiday season when baking in large batches is common. Their crisp yet tender texture and small format make them perfect for holiday gatherings; guests can easily enjoy a couple without feeling overly full, or add them to a diverse cookie assortment for sampling. Each tiny spritz cookie is a little parcel of buttery, sweet joy, making them an indispensable and beloved part of any holiday treat platter or cookie exchange.

The Secret Ingredient: Why Cream Cheese Makes These Spritz Cookies Extra Special

While many traditional spritz cookie recipes rely solely on butter for their richness, the addition of cream cheese in this recipe is a true game-changer. Cream cheese contributes several wonderful qualities that elevate these cookies from simply good to truly extraordinary, transforming them into tender, flavorful masterpieces. First and foremost, it imparts an incredible tenderness to the dough. This results in cookies that are exceptionally soft and practically melt in your mouth, a highly sought-after characteristic for spritz cookies, differentiating them from overly crisp or dry versions.

Beyond texture, cream cheese also introduces a subtle yet distinct richness and a delicate tang that beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the sugar and butter. This complexity in flavor adds a layer of sophistication to the cookies that many won’t immediately identify but will certainly appreciate, making these cream cheese spritz cookies stand out on any holiday cookie spread. The fat content and moisture provided by the cream cheese also play a crucial role in keeping the cookies moist and fresh for longer periods, which is a fantastic bonus when you’re preparing large quantities for holiday entertaining or gifting. This makes them an ideal make-ahead cookie, retaining their delicious taste and perfect texture for days after baking.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies

Gathering your ingredients and ensuring they are at the correct temperature is the foundational step towards creating these wonderful holiday treats. The quality and preparation of each component truly make a significant difference in the final outcome. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to make these tender, flavorful, and perfectly shaped cream cheese spritz cookies:

Unsalted Butter (1 cup), softened: Butter is the primary fat and flavor base for these cookies. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content. It’s crucial that the butter is genuinely softened to room temperature, but not melted. This ensures it creams properly with the sugar and cream cheese, incorporating air that leads to a light and airy dough.
Cream Cheese (3 ounces), softened: The star ingredient that adds exceptional tenderness and a subtle tang. Like butter, it must be completely softened to room temperature. This prevents lumps in your dough and allows it to blend seamlessly with the other ingredients, contributing to the cookies’ smooth texture and rich flavor.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Provides the essential sweetness and contributes to the delicate crispness of the cookies’ edges. It also aids in creaming, creating volume and a tender crumb.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A staple in most cookie recipes, pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, lending a warm, comforting, and inviting aroma to your cookies. Don’t skimp on quality; good vanilla makes a noticeable difference.
Egg Yolk (1 large): The egg yolk adds richness, tenderness, and a lovely golden hue to the cookies. It also helps to bind the dough without adding too much moisture or developing too much gluten, which keeps the cookies tender and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
All-Purpose Flour (2 1/4 cups): This is the structural backbone of your cookies. Accurate measurement is key here. Too much flour can result in dry, crumbly cookies that are difficult to press, while too little can cause them to spread excessively. Lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge.
Green Food Coloring (a few drops): Optional, but highly recommended for creating visually appealing, festive holiday shapes like green wreaths or Christmas trees. Gel food coloring is preferred as it provides more vibrant colors with fewer drops, avoiding the introduction of excess liquid into the dough.
Cinnamon Red Hots/Colorful Sprinkles: These are for decorating your beautiful spritz cookies. Cinnamon Red Hots are perfect for mimicking holly berries on wreath shapes, adding a touch of classic charm and a hint of spice. A variety of colorful sprinkles can add extra cheer and sparkle to any shape you create.

Mastering the Art of Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies: A Detailed Guide

Creating these delightful cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process, but paying close attention to a few key steps and tips will ensure perfect results every single time. Follow this detailed guide for a smooth and successful holiday baking experience, resulting in tender, beautifully shaped cream cheese spritz cookies:

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Begin by preheating your oven to 375º F (190ºC). This ensures the oven is at the precise temperature when your cookies are ready to bake, which is crucial for even cooking. A critical tip for spritz cookies: use *ungreased* baking sheets. The dough needs to adhere slightly to the baking sheet for the cookie press to work effectively and release the shapes cleanly.
Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine your properly softened unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 2 minutes. Proper creaming incorporates essential air into the mixture, which is vital for the cookies’ delicate and tender texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
Incorporate Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Add the single egg yolk and the vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue beating until these ingredients are fully incorporated, and the mixture is smooth. Ensure no streaks of egg yolk remain visible.
Gradually Blend in Flour: Reduce your mixer speed to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until the flour is blended and no dry streaks remain. It is absolutely crucial not to overmix the dough once the flour has been added. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, chewy cookies instead of the desired tender spritz. Stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together and forms a cohesive mass.
Add Food Coloring (Optional): If you desire colored cookies for extra festive flair, now is the time to add a few drops of green (or any other desired color) food coloring. Mix on low speed just until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough. Remember that gel food coloring often provides more vibrant hues with less liquid, which is ideal for maintaining dough consistency.
Shape Dough for the Cookie Press: Take the finished cookie dough and gently shape it into a log. The thickness and length of this log should be appropriate to fit comfortably into the cylinder of your cookie press. This makes it easier to load the press without making a mess.
Fill the Cookie Press: Carefully fill your cookie press with about one-quarter of the prepared dough. The exact amount may vary slightly depending on the size and design of your specific cookie press. Avoid overpacking the press, as this can make it difficult to operate smoothly.
Press and Decorate Cookies: Select your desired disk (wreath or Christmas tree are highly popular for holidays!). Place the filled cookie press firmly onto an *ungreased* baking sheet. Press the dough out, creating uniform shapes. For a classic holly wreath look, gently place 3 small Cinnamon Red Hots on each wreath-shaped cookie before baking. These mimic festive berries or a tiny bow and add a lovely touch of color and flavor.
Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 7-8 minutes. The key to perfectly baked spritz cookies is to watch them very carefully. They are done when the edges are just set and very lightly golden, and the tops no longer look wet or shiny. Spritz cookies are meant to be light in color and should not brown significantly.
Cooling and Setting: As soon as the cookies reach the desired doneness, remove them from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes. This brief cooling period on the warm pan helps them set and firm up, making them much easier to transfer without breaking or crumbling. Afterward, carefully move the cookies to wire racks to finish cooling completely to room temperature.

Understanding and Using Your Cookie Press for Best Results

A cookie press is an absolutely indispensable tool for making spritz cookies, as it’s the device that allows for their signature delicate and intricate shapes. It functions as a mechanical device specifically designed to extrude soft cookie dough into decorative forms using various interchangeable disks. You can find modern versions of cookie presses from many kitchenware retailers, and online platforms like Amazon offer a wide array of choices, including both electric and manual models. Interestingly, many seasoned bakers and collectors often attest to the superior performance and durability of older, vintage cookie presses, which can sometimes be found at thrift stores, estate sales, or antique shops. These older models are frequently made of more robust materials and have proven their reliability over decades.

Operating a cookie press is generally quite simple: you load the prepared, soft cookie dough into the cylindrical tube of the press, firmly attach a disk with your chosen design to one end, and then, by either squeezing a trigger or turning a crank (depending on the model), you press the dough through the disk directly onto an ungreased baking sheet. The choice of an ungreased surface is paramount because it allows the dough to stick to the pan just enough for the intricate design to cleanly release from the press, preventing smudged or incomplete shapes. If the pan is greased, the dough won’t adhere, and the shapes will lift with the press. The true magic of the cookie press lies in its ability to produce dozens of uniformly shaped, beautifully detailed cookies with minimal effort, transforming a simple dough into an array of festive edible art that is sure to impress.

Creative Decorating Ideas for Your Festive Spritz Cookies

Once baked to golden perfection, spritz cookies transform into a delightful canvas, eager for your creative touches. Their simple, buttery flavor provides a versatile base that pairs beautifully with a wide variety of decorations, allowing you to personalize them for any occasion or specific holiday theme. Here are some easy yet impactful decorating options to make your cream cheese spritz cookies even more special and visually appealing:

Pre-Bake Embellishments for Classic Charm: Before your cookies even go into the oven, you can add classic decorations. Press red hot cinnamon candies onto shapes like wreaths to simulate vibrant holly berries, or place them strategically on Christmas trees for festive ornaments. Tiny silver or gold dragées (edible metallic beads) can also be added before baking for a touch of timeless elegance and sparkle that withstands the oven’s heat.
Post-Bake Sparkle and Crunch: Immediately after the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still warm and slightly tacky, generously sprinkle them with colored sugar, edible glitter, or an assortment of colorful sprinkles. The residual heat will help these decorations adhere beautifully, adding a lovely shimmer, vibrant color, and a delightful textural crunch. Consider using specific colors like green sugar for trees, red for hearts, or a festive mix of holiday colors for a truly cheerful look.
Decadent Chocolate Drizzle or Dip: For a more indulgent treat, allow your spritz cookies to cool completely. Then, melt your favorite type of chocolate – white, milk, or dark – in a double boiler or microwave. You can then either dip part of the cookie (for example, half a star or the tips of a tree) into the melted chocolate, or artfully drizzle it over the entire surface. While the chocolate is still wet, you can add more sprinkles, finely crushed peppermint candies for a minty kick, or chopped nuts for additional texture and flavor. White chocolate with green or red sprinkles can look particularly stunning and festive.
Elegant Glazes for Subtle Sweetness: A simple powdered sugar glaze can add a subtle sweetness and a beautiful, delicate sheen to your cooled spritz cookies. To make a basic glaze, whisk powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk or lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency. You can also tint this glaze with a few drops of food coloring for extra festive flair. Drizzle it delicately over the cookies with a spoon or lightly brush it over the surface for an even coating.

Storage Tips for Fresh and Delicious Spritz Cookies

One of the most practical and convenient qualities of cream cheese spritz cookies, especially during the bustling holiday season, is their exceptional ability to store well. They are truly an ideal make-ahead treat, allowing you to prepare them in advance and enjoy a less stressful baking period.

Freezer Storage for Long-Term Freshness: These cookies freeze exceptionally well, often far superior to many other types of cookies. Once completely baked and cooled to room temperature, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are fully solid. This prevents them from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, making sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from adhering. Stored this way, your spritz cookies will maintain their delightful freshness, delicate texture, and delicious flavor for an impressive 4-5 months. When you’re ready to serve, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. They will taste just as fresh and delicious as if they were baked that very day.

You can also freeze the unbaked dough. Shape the dough into compact logs, wrap them very tightly in plastic wrap, and then again in a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection against freezer burn. Freeze these dough logs for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough slightly in the refrigerator until it’s pliable enough to easily pass through your cookie press, then proceed with pressing and baking as outlined in the recipe.

Room Temperature Storage for Short-Term Enjoyment: If you plan to enjoy your delicious spritz cookies within a few days, they can be stored quite effectively at room temperature. Once the cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. This method will keep them fresh and wonderfully delicious for approximately 4-5 days before they might start to lose some of their delicate moisture and become slightly dry. To preserve their delicate texture and prevent them from absorbing moisture, avoid storing them with other types of highly moist or chewy cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spritz Cookies

Baking with a cookie press can sometimes bring up a few specific questions, especially for those new to the technique. Here are some common queries and helpful answers to ensure your spritz cookie baking journey is a resounding success:

Q: Why are my spritz cookies spreading or losing their intricate shape during baking?

A: Several factors can contribute to spritz cookies losing their shape or spreading excessively. The most common reasons include butter or cream cheese being too soft (even slightly melted fat will cause spreading), overmixing the dough (which develops gluten and makes cookies tough and prone to spreading), having too much liquid in the dough, or not enough flour. To prevent this, ensure your butter and cream cheese are at a cool room temperature (they should give slightly when pressed, but not be greasy). Measure your flour accurately, and remember that spritz cookies *must* be pressed onto ungreased baking sheets; any grease can cause them to spread rather than hold their shape.

Q: Can I make spritz cookie dough ahead of time and store it?

A: Absolutely! Spritz cookie dough is excellent for making ahead, which is a huge time-saver during busy holiday preparations. You can prepare the dough a day or two in advance. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for approximately 30-60 minutes, or until it becomes pliable enough to easily pass through your cookie press. If the dough is too cold, it will be very stiff and difficult to press; if it’s too warm, it might be too soft and sticky, which can also cause issues with pressing crisp shapes.

Q: My cookie press isn’t working – the dough won’t come out or stick to the pan. What could be wrong?

A: This is a common troubleshooting issue! If the dough won’t come out of the press, it’s likely too cold or too stiff. Allow it to warm up slightly more at room temperature. If the dough is too sticky and gloppy, try incorporating an additional tablespoon or two of flour into the dough. If the pressed cookies aren’t sticking to the *ungreased* baking sheet, the dough might be too warm and soft, or the press might not be held firmly enough against the pan. Ensure your baking sheets are completely cool (not still warm from a previous batch) and entirely free of any grease or non-stick spray.

Q: Do I need to chill the dough for spritz cookies before pressing?

A: Unlike many cut-out cookie recipes that benefit from chilling, spritz cookie dough typically does *not* require chilling before pressing. In fact, dough that is too cold will be too stiff and resistant to press through the intricate designs of the cookie press. The dough should be soft, pliable, and at a good, cool room temperature. If your kitchen is exceptionally warm, a very brief chill (about 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator) might help to firm it up slightly, but generally, room temperature dough works best for smooth operation of the cookie press.

Q: Can I use different flavor extracts in spritz cookies instead of just vanilla?

A: Yes, you absolutely can! While pure vanilla extract is a classic and beloved choice for spritz cookies, feel free to experiment with other extracts to introduce new flavor profiles and varieties. Almond extract is a popular alternative that adds a lovely nutty flavor, especially for holiday baking. Peppermint extract is fantastic for a truly festive, minty Christmas cookie. A touch of lemon zest or orange zest can also add a bright, fresh note. When experimenting, start with a small amount (e.g., 1/2 teaspoon) and adjust to your taste, as some extracts can be quite potent.

More Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes to Explore

If you’re looking to expand your holiday baking repertoire beyond these delicious cream cheese spritz cookies, here are some other festive and delightful recipes that are sure to be a hit with family and friends:

Grinch Sugar Cookies Bites
Cornflake Cookies
White Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Fudge
Sour Cream Cookies
Gingerbread Truffles

4.50 from 2 votes

Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies

By Erin Sellin

These delightful Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies are a holiday baking essential, bringing tender texture and festive cheer to any celebration. Perfectly shaped with a cookie press, they’re reminiscent of cherished childhood memories and can be customized with your favorite designs and decorations.

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Servings: 65

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Ingredients

▢ 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
▢ 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 egg yolk
▢ 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
▢ Green Food coloring
▢ Cinnamon Red Hots

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375º F.
Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar till lightly fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Beat in egg yolk and vanilla until fully incorporated.
Gradually blend in flour, being careful not to over mix.
Add a few drops of green food coloring until you achieve the desired color.
Shape dough into a log, about the thickness of your cookie press.
Fill a cookie press, with about 1/4 of the dough, depending on the size of your press.
Form cookies into desired shapes (wreath or Christmas tree) on ungreased baking sheets. If making wreaths, add 3
little Cinnamon Red Hots to mimic a small bow.
Bake 7-8 minutes until edges are set. If the cookie looks wet on the top, it’s not quite done baking.
Remove them from the oven AS SOON as they look dry on top. Cool on the pan 3-4 minutes on the baking sheet until set and
then remove to wire racks to finish cool.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Course: Dessert Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 65

Calories: 59

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