There’s something magically nostalgic and downright delightful about the delicate shapes and buttery taste of these Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies. This Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe blends tender cream cheese with classic spritz cookie charm—making each bite melt in your mouth like a little buttery dream.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made countless spritz cookies over the years, but adding cream cheese changed the game. It makes the cookies so tender and rich without feeling heavy—plus, they hold their shape beautifully. I’m always excited to pull these from the oven and see vibrant shapes gracing my cookie sheets.
- Buttery & Tender Texture: The cream cheese brings a soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality that classic spritz cookies often lack.
- Easy to Customize: You can add food coloring or decorate with sprinkles and colored sugar for all kinds of festive fun.
- Perfect for Cookie Press or Piping: Whether you use a cookie press or a pastry bag, these cookies hold up beautifully without spreading too much.
- Great for Holidays or Everyday: Their simple elegance fits any occasion—from casual tea time to holiday cookie platters.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe works together to create that signature tender crumb and buttery flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, I've got a few tips to help you pick the best quality ingredients.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened for easy creaming — it’s the base of that rich, buttery flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Using softened cream cheese ensures a silky dough and adds moisture, making your cookies extra tender.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and structure — I stick with classic white sugar for that crisp edge.
- Egg Yolk: Adds richness without too much liquid, keeping the dough firm for piping.
- Orange Zest: A lovely bright hint that complements the richness beautifully; fresh zest is best for flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor booster that ties everything together.
- Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure; sift it or spoon it into your measuring cup for accuracy.
- Colored Sugars, Sprinkles, Gel Food Coloring: For decorating—feel free to experiment with colors and textures to match your mood or event.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes I split the dough into a few bowls and add different gel colors—a festive rainbow of cookies for a party. You can also swap citrus zest or extract to suit your taste.
- Citrus Swap: I’ve tried lemon zest instead of orange and it brings a sharper brightness—delicious if you want a twist.
- Flavored Extracts: Almond or even a touch of coconut extract can add a whole new level of flair.
- Dietary Variation: For a dairy-alternative, you could experiment with vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes, but expect some texture differences.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
Start by softening your butter and cream cheese so they blend smoothly without lumps. I use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed, beating them with sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for that tender crumb texture.
Step 2: Add the Egg Yolk, Zest, Vanilla, and Salt
Next, add your egg yolk, orange zest, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Mix again for about a minute. Don’t skip scraping down the bowl sides before and after adding these, or your flavors won’t distribute evenly.
Step 3: Incorporate the Flour Gently
Add the flour in two halves, mixing slowly on low speed. Go slow here to avoid clouding your kitchen with flour—and to keep your dough perfectly smooth. Once all the flour is incorporated, divide and tint your dough if you like, or leave it plain for classics.
Step 4: Pipe or Press the Cookies on Baking Sheets
Using your cookie press or a pastry bag with a large star tip, pipe the dough onto a lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each cookie. I’ve found that piping straight onto the pan works best! Decorate with colored sugars or sprinkles now if you want extra sparkle.
Step 5: Bake & Cool
Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-12 minutes. The key is to pull them out just as they’re set—not browned—for that tender texture. Let the cookies sit on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks. If you’re baking multiple batches, cool the pans completely before adding more dough to prevent spreading.
Top Tip
After making this Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe a few times, I’ve picked up some neat tricks to help you get perfect cookies every time.
- Softening Ingredients: Bring butter and cream cheese to room temp, but not too warm—soft enough to press your finger in slightly but still cool. This helps in easier mixing and better texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Cooling Between Batches: Let your baking sheets cool fully before piping the next batch to keep cookie edges crisp and shapes sharp.
- Cookie Press vs. Pastry Bag: I personally prefer a cookie press for consistent shapes, but a pastry bag with a star tip works perfectly if you don’t own one.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I especially love scattering these with a mix of rainbow sugar crystals or little pearl sprinkles for a cheerful look. For a holiday twist, I add red and green sanding sugar or even edible glitter. These toppings not only look gorgeous but add a tiny crunch to complement the tender cookies.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of tea—Earl Grey or chamomile are wonderful choices. They're also fantastic alongside a creamy hot chocolate or a simple glass of milk for a comforting snack or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
During the holidays, I love arranging these cookies on a tiered cake stand with fresh rosemary sprigs and small ornaments as accents. For birthday parties, colorful parchment paper under each batch adds extra pop. You can even package them prettily in clear boxes tied with ribbon for gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover spritz cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for about a week, though they rarely last that long in my house! Just be sure the container is truly airtight to keep the cookies from drying out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the dough piped onto baking sheets (flash freeze) and then transferred the frozen cookies to a freezer bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies anytime—just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time. Freezing baked cookies also works, just wrap tightly to avoid freezer burn.
Reheating
If you want to refresh slightly stale cookies, a quick 3-4 minute warm-up in a 300°F oven brings back softness and aroma. Avoid microwaving as it can toughen the cookies or make them gummy.
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