Description
Delightfully buttery and tender Almond Spritz Cookies, crafted with a delicate almond flavor and a crisp texture. Perfect for holiday celebrations or as charming edible gifts, these cookies are made using a classic cookie press to create lovely shapes, finished with festive sprinkles or decorative sugars.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 4 oz unsalted butter (1 stick, 113 g, room temperature)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (67 g)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (137 g)
- A large pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the softened unsalted butter together with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg Yolk and Almond Extract: Beat in the egg yolk and pure almond extract until fully incorporated, which will enhance the cookie’s rich almond flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour and salt into a separate small bowl to evenly distribute the salt and remove any lumps, preparing them for a smooth dough.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: With the mixer on the lowest speed, gradually add the sifted flour and salt mixture into the butter mixture. Mix until the dough forms a soft, cohesive mass that is easy to handle.
- Prepare Cookie Press and Baking Sheets: Fill your cookie press with the prepared dough. Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Press Cookies: Holding the cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet, press out cookies spacing them about 1 to 2 inches apart to allow room for slight spreading.
- Add Decorations: Sprinkle your desired festive decorations such as sprinkles or colored sugars on the cookies to add a decorative touch and extra sweetness.
- Chill Before Baking: Chill the shaped and decorated cookies in the refrigerator or freezer while you preheat the oven, which helps them maintain their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so that it’s ready for baking once cookies are chilled.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until they are lightly set and just starting to turn golden at the edges.
- Cool on Baking Sheet: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes to firm up before transferring.
- Transfer to Wire Rack: Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up to the perfect crispness.
Notes
- These Almond Spritz Cookies are perfect for festive occasions and make thoughtful edible gifts for friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers during the holiday season.
- Using a cookie press helps achieve uniform, pretty shapes, but if unavailable, the dough can be rolled into small balls and slightly flattened before baking.
- Decorative sugars and sprinkles can be customized to match any holiday or celebration theme.
- Chilling the cookies before baking is important to maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to keep them fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 15 g
- Calories: 72 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 4.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg
