Festive Almond Christmas Spritz Cookies
These delightful Festive Almond Spritz Cookies are a beloved holiday treat, perfect for celebrations and gift-giving. Bursting with almond flavor and adorned with vibrant green and red decorations, these buttery cookies are sure to impress your friends and family. Simple to make with a press or piping bag, they bring the joy of baking to your holiday season. Share them at gatherings or keep them for a cozy night in with hot cocoa. Garnished with colorful icing and candies, these cookies embody the spirit of Christmas!
N/A
Servings
40
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups (Measured)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (Measured)
powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups (Sifted)
butter
1 cup (Softened)
large egg
1 (Beaten)
almond extract
1 teaspoon (Measured)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (Measured)
green food coloring
to taste (Optional)
red glazed cherries
as needed (Optional for decoration)
green glazed cherries
as needed (Optional for decoration)
decorative candies
as needed (Optional for decoration)
powdered sugar (for icing)
1 1/2 cups (Sifted)
milk
2 tablespoons (plus additional if needed) (Measured)
almond extract (for icing)
1/8 teaspoon (Measured)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt, stirring well to ensure even distribution.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar and softened butter using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4
Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending until smooth.
5
Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough is well combined.
6
Divide the dough in half. If you want to create a festive green color for half of the dough, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the desired shade is achieved.
7
Using a cookie press fitted with your desired shape plate, fill the press with your dough. Press the dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
8
If desired, decorate the cookies with red and green glazed cherries or assorted decorative candies before baking.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are just set and the edges are lightly golden.
10
Once baked, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
11
While the cookies cool, prepare the optional icing by combining the remaining powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract in a medium bowl. Stir until the icing is thick yet spreadable; if it’s too thick, add an extra teaspoon of milk to achieve the right consistency.
12
Once the cookies are cool, pipe or drizzle the icing on top and decorate further with your chosen candies.
13
Store the decorated cookies tightly covered at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze them for up to three months for later enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
2.3g
Fat
5g
Carbs
0.33g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Almond Christmas Spritz Cookies?
These are buttery holiday treats bursting with almond flavor, often shaped using a cookie press and decorated with festive colors and candies.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking the cookies.
What are the main ingredients for the cookie dough?
The dough consists of all-purpose flour, salt, powdered sugar, softened butter, a large egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract.
How long should I cream the butter and powdered sugar?
Beat the powdered sugar and softened butter together for approximately 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How do I make the dough festive colors?
Divide the dough in half and add a few drops of green food coloring to one portion, mixing until you reach the desired shade.
What tool is recommended for shaping these cookies?
A cookie press fitted with a shaped plate is recommended, though a piping bag can also be used.
Should I grease the cookie sheets?
No, you should press the dough onto ungreased cookie sheets to help the shapes stick properly.
How far apart should I space the cookies?
Space the cookies about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
Can I decorate the cookies before they go in the oven?
Yes, you can decorate them with red and green glazed cherries or assorted decorative candies before baking.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until they are just set and the edges are lightly golden.
What is the best way to cool the cookies?
Once baked, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely before adding icing.
How do I prepare the almond icing?
Combine powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract in a bowl, stirring until the consistency is thick yet spreadable.
What should I do if the icing is too thick?
If the icing is too thick, add an extra teaspoon of milk at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 40 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each cookie has approximately 2.3 grams of fat.
Do these cookies have protein?
Yes, each cookie provides about 0.33 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a cookie?
There are approximately 5 grams of carbohydrates in each cookie.
How long can I store the finished cookies at room temperature?
Store the decorated cookies in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to one week.
Can I freeze Festive Almond Spritz Cookies?
Yes, these cookies can be frozen for up to three months for later enjoyment.
What makes the almond flavor stand out in this recipe?
The use of almond extract in both the cookie dough and the optional icing provides a double layer of almond flavor.
How many total ingredients are needed for the cookies and icing?
The recipe lists 14 ingredients, including decorations and optional items.
Are these cookies suitable for gift-giving?
Yes, they are described as a beloved holiday treat perfect for celebrations and gift-giving.
What type of milk should I use for the icing?
The recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of milk, which can be adjusted with additional teaspoons if needed.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The butter should be softened at room temperature to ensure it creams properly with the sugar.
Can I use vanilla extract instead of almond?
The recipe uses both, but the almond extract is key to the specific almond flavor profile of these cookies.
Are these cookies hard or soft?
They are buttery, tender cookies that are set but delicate once cooled.
How many eggs are in the recipe?
The recipe requires one large egg, beaten.
Is there salt in the dough?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is mixed with the flour to balance the sweetness.
What types of cherries are used for decoration?
The recipe suggests using red and green glazed cherries for a festive look.
Can I drizzle the icing instead of piping it?
Yes, you can either pipe or drizzle the icing on top of the cooled cookies.