If you have a soft spot for cookies that melt in your mouth with a delightful buttery flavor and a touch of elegance, then this Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe is about to become your new best friend. These charming little treats are crisp around the edges, tender inside, and perfectly suited for decorating or enjoying plain with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They’re wonderfully simple but bring a festive flair, making them a beloved classic that turns cookie time into a special occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role, from creating the perfect dough texture to building that rich buttery taste and subtle aroma. Here’s what you’ll need to bring these traditional cookies to life in your kitchen.
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): Provides the structure necessary for tender, delicate cookies.
- Unsalted butter (¾ cup, softened): The star ingredient giving the cookies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness without overpowering the butter’s flavor, contributing to the crisp edges.
- Large egg (1): Helps bind the ingredients and adds moisture for a smooth, pliable dough.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Lends a warm, inviting fragrance and enhances overall flavor.
- Almond extract (¼ tsp, optional): Gives a subtle nutty note that’s traditional in Italian spritz cookies.
- Milk (2 tbsp): Used to adjust the dough consistency so it pipes easily without losing shape.
- Colored sprinkles or chocolate: Perfect for decorating and adding a little festive fun or a chocolatey finish.
How to Make Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Having everything ready will keep your workflow smooth, ensuring your cookies bake evenly and come off cleanly for decorating.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is key for achieving the perfect texture—airy but still rich, setting the foundation for your spritz cookies’ melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Next, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you choose to use it. These ingredients contribute moisture and layers of flavor, rounding out the buttery base with hints of warmth and a touch of nuttiness that makes these cookies so special.
Step 4: Incorporate the Flour
Gradually add the all-purpose flour to your wet mixture, stirring until the dough forms. The dough should hold together but still be soft enough to pipe. If it feels too dry or crumbly, add the milk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the ideal consistency for piping.
Step 5: Pipe the Dough onto Baking Sheets
Transfer your dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe your beautiful spritz cookie shapes—rosettes, stars, and more—onto the prepared baking sheets. The piping step makes these cookies truly charming and gives you room to get creative with your designs.
Step 6: Decorate Before Baking
If you want to add some sparkle, sprinkle colored decorations over the dough shapes now before baking. They’ll stick wonderfully and add a pop of color to your buttery creations. Alternatively, wait to add splashes of melted chocolate or sprinkles after baking for a different effect.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pop your cookies into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges. This subtle browning signals that they’re perfectly crisp around the edges while remaining tender inside—the hallmark of a great spritz cookie.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool thoroughly on a wire rack so they firm up before adding any additional decorations like melted chocolate or extra sprinkles. This cooling step also preserves their delicate texture and ensures your toppings won’t slide off.
How to Serve Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like colorful sprinkles or a drizzle of melted chocolate transform these cookies into little works of art. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finish that’s perfect for holiday tables or afternoon tea.
Side Dishes
While these cookies stand out on their own, they pair beautifully with creamy coffee drinks, spicy chai teas, or even a scoop of vanilla gelato. Their buttery richness complements chilled beverages and fresh fruit for an inviting dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Package your Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe in festive tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon to create delightful homemade gifts. For parties, arrange them on decorative platters, mixing shapes and colors to delight guests with every bite and visual appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp for up to a week. Proper storage ensures they maintain their buttery texture and fresh flavor, so you can enjoy them well beyond the baking day.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. Once fully baked and cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. This way, you can keep your Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe fresh for up to three months.
Reheating
To bring frozen cookies back to life, thaw at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. If you prefer a slightly warm cookie, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3–5 minutes—just enough to restore their soft, buttery goodness without overbaking.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but be mindful of the salt content as salted butter may alter the balance of sweetness. You might want to reduce any additional salt in your recipe or taste the dough before baking to avoid overwhelming the cookie’s delicate flavor.
What is the best way to pipe spritz cookies if I don’t have a piping bag?
If a piping bag isn’t available, you can use a sturdy plastic bag with one corner snipped off or even a cookie press designed specifically for spritz cookies. These tools help create perfectly shaped cookies with ease and precision.
Can I add flavors other than vanilla and almond?
Absolutely! Lemon or orange zest pairs wonderfully with the buttery dough, adding a fresh citrus note. Just a teaspoon of zest swapped in will give your Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe a unique twist worth trying.
How can I make sure the cookies come out crisp?
Make sure not to overbake, as spritz cookies can dry out quickly. Keep an eye for lightly golden edges and remove them promptly. Also, allowing them to cool on racks without stacking helps preserve crispness.
Is it okay to decorate with melted chocolate after baking?
Yes, decorating with melted chocolate after the cookies have cooled completely adds a rich, decadent layer. Just drizzle or dip and allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the fridge for a beautiful finishing touch.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe enough for anyone who loves classic cookies with a buttery, tender crumb and plenty of possibilities for decoration. It’s a recipe that brings joy not only to the palate but to your kitchen as you create charming shapes and tasty moments to share. Grab your piping bag and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite cookie tradition!
Print
Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for any occasion. Featuring a tender buttery flavor with a hint of vanilla and optional almond extract, these piped cookies are decorated with colorful sprinkles or dipped in chocolate for an added festive touch. They’re easy to make and bake to a light golden perfection in about 27 minutes, yielding 24 delightful cookies.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 tbsp milk
Decorations
- Colored sprinkles or chocolate for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is crucial for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavorings and Egg: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, until the batter is smooth and combined evenly.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, stirring continuously until a workable dough forms. If you find the dough too crumbly or dry, mix in the milk one tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Pipe the Cookies: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in various fun shapes such as rosettes and stars for a traditional spritz cookie aesthetic.
- Decorate Before Baking: Optionally, sprinkle the cookies with colored sprinkles for extra color and festivity, or leave plain if you prefer to add chocolate after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. This ensures a slight crispness around edges while keeping the centers tender.
- Cool and Final Decoration: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before dipping them in melted chocolate or adding any final decorative touches like additional sprinkles, if desired. This step helps the chocolate adhere better and maintain texture.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
- Almond extract is optional but adds a lovely nutty flavor that complements the buttery cookie base.
- Cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
