SUNDAY DESSERT #46: Spritzgebäck (Spritz Cookies)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany 🇩🇪
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy
INSPIRATION: Growing up, my side of the family made these cookies every year for Christmas. It's time to officially bring in the season with our traditional favorite!
(I have to be honest though, I've had my tree up since the day after Halloween and I've been listening to Christmas songs well before that... So, "bringing in the season" with these cookies is really more for a sign to you guys than it is for me since I've been in Christmas-mode already for quite a while. 😂)
RECEPTION/COMMENTARY: Spritzgebäck, or 'spritz' as we call them, are a buttery, soft, melt-in-your-mouth, shortbread-like cookie. You use a press to shape each individual cookie and then decorate it with colored sugar crystals before baking. It's so easy and SO delicious! And they are incredibly versatile because you can change the cookie disc on the press to suit any holiday or event. They have so many disc shapes you can buy from hearts and pumpkins to teddy bears and butterflies! It's so fun! Since it's Christmas, I've chosen trees, wreaths, and snowflakes. And, as you probably have already guessed, these are a 10/10 for me. But give them a try for yourself and see!
WOULD I MAKE IT AGAIN? Not only am I making them again, I am passing this traditional recipe on for future generations to enjoy!
Spritz Recipe:
1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional: Colored sugar sprinkles
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar together. Add the egg and extracts, combine well. Add the flour and salt and stir until just combined. Place cookie dough in a cookie press with the decorative disc of your choice and squeeze them out onto an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake for 6 minutes. The edges will just barely look golden when they are done. Don't overbake!
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