These cream cheese spritz cookies are a delightful holiday classic, featuring a tender, buttery texture and subtle hints of cinnamon and orange zest. Perfect for festive gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just indulging in a sweet treat, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and flavorful: Cream cheese and citrus zest add richness and a bright, festive touch.
- Fun to decorate: Customize with sprinkles, colored sugar, or other holiday decorations.
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for last-minute baking.
- Crowd-pleaser: Yields 72 cookies, making it ideal for parties or gifting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Optional Decorations
- Colored sugar
- Sprinkles
- Red hots
- Jimmies
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Cookie press with various disks
- Baking sheets
- Wire cooling racks
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
Cream the Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream together the shortening, softened cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Mix in the orange zest for a hint of bright citrus flavor.
Shape the Cookies: Spoon the dough into a cookie press fitted with your favorite disk. Press the dough directly onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
Decorate: Add a festive touch by sprinkling the cookies with colored sugar, sprinkles, red hots, or jimmies before baking.
Bake: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Repeat: Continue pressing and baking cookies with the remaining dough.
Variations
- Chocolate Spritz: Replace 1/4 cup of flour with cocoa powder for a chocolaty version.
- Spiced Delight: Add 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves for a warming holiday twist.
- Lemon Spritz: Substitute lemon zest for orange zest and add a dash of lemon extract.
- Nutty Addition: Top with crushed almonds or pecans for extra crunch.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: Arrange on a platter with other holiday cookies or serve alongside hot cocoa or coffee.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked dough or baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving or pressing.
Helpful Notes and Tips
- Chilled dough for precision: If the dough becomes too soft to press, chill it briefly to regain firmness.
- Avoid overbaking: Keep a close eye on the cookies to ensure they stay pale for the best texture.
- Clean pressing: Wipe the cookie press disk clean between batches for precise shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use butter instead of shortening?
Yes, but the cookies may spread slightly more. A combination of butter and shortening works well to maintain shape and flavor.
2. Do I need a cookie press?
While a cookie press creates classic spritz shapes, you can roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly with a fork.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe doubles well for larger batches, perfect for holiday gifting.
4. Why is my dough sticking to the press?
Ensure the dough is not too warm. If needed, chill it briefly for better pressing results.
5. Can I add food coloring?
Yes! Divide the dough and mix in a few drops of food coloring to create festive, colorful cookies.
These cream cheese spritz cookies are a timeless holiday favorite with a delightful mix of flavors and textures. Fun to make, decorate, and share, they’ll be the highlight of your Christmas cookie tray. Enjoy baking and spreading holiday cheer!