Cinnamon Spritz Cookies: A Classic Holiday Treat with a Warm Twist
Cinnamon Spritz Cookies are a delightful variation on the classic holiday cookie, adding a touch of warm spice to your festive baking traditions. These cookies are not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, and cookie exchanges.
The holiday season is synonymous with baking, and cookies reign supreme! From the comforting aroma of freshly baked treats to the joy of sharing them with loved ones, baking is an integral part of the holiday spirit.
While classic cookies like Peanut Butter Blossoms, Snowflake Sugar Cookies, and Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are always a hit, it’s fun to experiment with new flavors and variations. This year, why not try these Cinnamon Spritz Cookies? They offer a delightful twist on a traditional favorite.
Spritz cookies have been a beloved holiday treat for generations. Their delicate texture and intricate shapes make them visually appealing and incredibly delicious. These Cinnamon Spritz Cookies elevate the classic recipe with a hint of cinnamon, adding warmth and depth to every bite. My kids adore cinnamon, and adding it to my reliable spritz cookie recipe was a resounding success.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Spritz Cookie Recipe
These cookies are more than just delicious; they are also incredibly practical for holiday baking. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses less than 10 basic baking ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
- Versatile Shapes: You can use any of your favorite holiday cookie press shapes to create festive designs.
- Easy Decoration: Leave them plain for a rustic look or decorate them with red and green sprinkles or edible pearl sprinkles for added flair.
- Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are ideal for holiday gift-giving, cookie exchanges, and festive gatherings.
Ingredient Notes for Perfect Spritz Cookies
To ensure your Cinnamon Spritz Cookies turn out perfectly, pay attention to these key ingredient notes:
- Butter: Soft, pliable butter is essential for this recipe. Remove the butter from the refrigerator 30 minutes to an hour before you start baking. To speed up the softening process, you can microwave the butter for 7 seconds, then let it sit on the counter to continue softening. The butter should be soft enough to easily cream with the sugar but not melted.
- Eggs: Take the egg out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you start baking. Cold eggs can shock the cookie batter, hindering proper mixing. Room temperature eggs mix more evenly, resulting in a smoother batter.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cinnamon Spritz Cookie Success
Spritz cookies are made using a cookie press, a specialized baking tool that might seem intimidating at first. However, don’t let it fool you – these cookies are surprisingly easy and quick to make!
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place two baking sheets in the refrigerator to cool them. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer (or in a large bowl using a hand mixer), cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until well blended. The mixture should be light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie texture.
- Add Vanilla and Egg: Slowly add the vanilla extract and room temperature egg to the creamed mixture. Mix until well blended. Ensure the egg is fully incorporated before moving on to the next step.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisking ensures that the cinnamon and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour-cinnamon mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients in 1-cup portions. Mix just until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- Load the Cookie Press: Use a silicone spatula to scoop the dough into the cookie press, taking care not to overfill it. Overfilling can make the press difficult to use.
- Press Out the Cookies: Use your cookie press to press out cookie dough in various shapes onto the cold, ungreased cookie pans. Space the cookies slightly apart to allow for even baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes each. The edges should just be slightly golden brown. Avoid overbaking, as this can make the cookies dry and brittle.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool at room temperature for a few minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they are ready to serve.
Baking Tips and Recipe FAQs for Perfect Cinnamon Spritz Cookies
Here are some helpful tips and frequently asked questions to ensure your Cinnamon Spritz Cookies turn out perfectly every time:
What can I do to help spritz cookies keep their shape while baking?
Start with cool, dry, ungreased cookie pans. Place your pans in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes before you start pressing cookies out onto them. This helps the dough adhere to the pan and prevents spreading during baking.
My dough isn’t coming out of the press right. What did I do?
Make sure your dough is soft enough to be easily pressed through the cookie press, but not so soft that it loses its shape. Do a test run with a small handful of dough in the cookie press, and then make adjustments to your dough as needed – whether you need to add more flour because the dough is too runny or you need to add more liquid in the form of more vanilla extract because the dough is too firm.
How do I get the dough to stick to the pan when using the cookie press?
Wash the pans between each batch. After each batch is done baking, allow the pans to cool slightly, then lightly wash off the residual cookie grease with some soap and water, dry, then place in the refrigerator for just a couple of minutes before pressing more cookies out onto the sheets. This helps the dough stick to the pan when pressing (but not when baking) and prevents the dough from spreading when baking.
Why did my first cookie press shape come out badly?
Know that the first one or two attempts don’t turn out perfectly. The first time you try to press a cookie shape out onto the sheet pan, the dough may stick to the press. That’s normal! Gently guide the dough off, place back in the bowl, then press again. The dough should start sticking to the pan after the first or second time.
Decorating Your Cinnamon Spritz Cookies
These Cinnamon Spritz Cookies are a fabulous year-round treat on their own, without any decoration. The subtle cinnamon flavor and delicate texture are perfectly satisfying.
Around the holidays, however, feel free to add traditional colored sprinkles. Red and green sprinkles add a festive touch and make these cookies even more appealing.
Another favorite decorating method for these cookies is to place edible pearls in the color of your choice (found in most grocery store baking aisles) in a fun design on the cookies. My preference is for white edible pearls; I think they add some elegance to the cookies without detracting from the taste.
Like all spritz cookies, these make great holiday gifts. Be sure to gift some to the cinnamon lovers and/or cookie lovers in your life!
More Holiday Cookie Recipes to Explore
If you’re looking for more holiday baking inspiration, explore other cookie recipes. And if you’re looking for holiday baking recipes check out these 33 Freezer-Friendly Cookie Recipes.
- Snowflake Cookies
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Cinnamon Spritz Cookies
7 votes
Marlynn Schotland
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Equipment
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cookie press
Ingredients
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1
cup
unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
-
½
cup
granulated sugar
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2
teaspoons
vanilla extract
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1
large egg, at room temperature
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2½
cups
all-purpose flour
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1
Tablespoon
ground cinnamon -
½
teaspoon
salt
-
optional: decorator sprinkles or pearls