Delicate buttery spritz cookies

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

These buttery spritz cookies are crafted by pressing soft dough into delicate fan shapes arranged in layered clusters. The dough combines rich butter, vanilla, and almond extracts for a tender texture and fragrant flavor. After baking to golden edges, decorations such as colored sanding sugar or melted chocolate add a festive touch. Ideal for holiday celebrations, they pair wonderfully with coffee or tea. The layering technique creates a visually striking presentation that enhances any dessert spread.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:48:00 GMT
Golden-edged spritz cookies arranged in a fan shape, a beautiful display for the holidays. Save to Pinterest
Golden-edged spritz cookies arranged in a fan shape, a beautiful display for the holidays. | citrushearth.com

Delicate, buttery spritz cookies arranged in a beautiful layered fan shape—perfect for the holidays and a festive addition to any cookie tray.

I first served this to my family during the holidays and they loved the festive presentation and buttery taste.

Ingredients

  • Cookie Dough: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened, 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, room temperature, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional), 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • Decoration: Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles, 2 oz (60 g) dark or white chocolate, melted (optional for drizzling)

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or leave ungreased if using a nonstick sheet.
Cream Butter & Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 3 minutes.
Add Eggs & Extracts:
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
Mix in Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
Prepare Cookie Press:
Fit a cookie press with a fan or star-shaped disc. Fill the press with dough.
Form Fans:
Press cookies directly onto the baking sheets, forming fans by overlapping slightly at the base arrange 3 4 cookies in a fanned layer for each cluster.
Decorate:
Sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles if desired.
Bake:
Bake for 9 11 minutes until the edges are just turning golden.
Cool:
Cool cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Add Chocolate Drizzle:
Once cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate if desired and let set before serving.
Buttery, golden spritz cookies, beautifully layered into a fan, ready to enjoy with coffee. Save to Pinterest
Buttery, golden spritz cookies, beautifully layered into a fan, ready to enjoy with coffee. | citrushearth.com

This recipe always brings joy and warmth to my family gatherings during the holiday season.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week to maintain freshness and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Pairs well with coffee, tea, or a glass of dessert wine to complement the buttery sweetness.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk (butter), and possible tree nuts if almond extract is used. Decorations may contain additional allergens—check labels carefully.

Fresh from the oven, these spritz cookies make an appetizing display as a layered fan. Save to Pinterest
Fresh from the oven, these spritz cookies make an appetizing display as a layered fan. | citrushearth.com

These spritz cookies are a delightful treat that adds a festive touch to your cookie tray every holiday season.

Recipe FAQs

What type of flour works best for spritz dough?

All-purpose flour provides the right balance of structure and tenderness for ideal spritz shapes.

Can I use almond extract in this dough?

Yes, almond extract adds a subtle nutty note but is optional based on flavor preference.

How do I create the layered fan shapes?

Press 3 to 4 cookie shapes overlapping slightly at their base before baking to form layered fan clusters.

What decorating options enhance these cookies?

Colored sanding sugars, sprinkles, or a drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate work beautifully.

How long should the cookies cool before serving?

Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack until completely set, usually about 10 minutes, especially if drizzled with chocolate.

Delicate buttery spritz cookies

Buttery spritz cookies shaped in delicate layered fans with optional chocolate drizzle and colored sugar finish.

Prep duration
25 minutes
Time to cook
10 minutes
Overall time
35 minutes
Created by Elise Porter


Skill level Medium

Cuisine Type German-American

Makes 36 Number of servings

Dietary details Meat-Free

What Goes In

Cookie Dough

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 1 large egg, room temperature
04 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
06 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
07 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Decoration

01 Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles
02 2 ounces dark or white chocolate, melted (optional)

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or leave ungreased if using nonstick sheets.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 03

Incorporate egg and extracts: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using; mix until fully combined.

Step 04

Add dry ingredients: Gradually add all-purpose flour and sea salt, mixing just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing the dough.

Step 05

Prepare cookie press: Fit a cookie press with a fan or star-shaped disc and fill it with the prepared dough.

Step 06

Shape layered fan cookies: Press cookies directly onto the baking sheets, arranging 3 to 4 cookies overlapping slightly at the base to form a fan-shaped cluster.

Step 07

Decorate before baking: Sprinkle colored sanding sugar or sprinkles over the shaped cookies as desired.

Step 08

Bake cookies: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges begin to turn golden brown.

Step 09

Cool cookies: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Optional chocolate drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle melted chocolate over cookies if desired and let set before serving.

What You’ll Need

  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cookie press with fan or star-shaped disc
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper (optional)
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Double-check ingredients for allergens; talk with your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter). Almond extract may introduce tree nut allergens.
  • Decorations may contain additional allergens; verify labels before use.

Nutrition info (for each serving)

Nutrition data is for reference and isn’t meant as health advice.
  • Calorie count: 80
  • Fat content: 4.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 9 grams
  • Protein amount: 1 grams