Christmas Spritz Cookie Recipe: Festive Butter Cookies Shaped Like Trees

I received a cookie press as a wedding gift, but for years, I had no idea how to use it. I’d only ever made cheese straws! Then one day I discovered spritz cookies, and they were so cute and delicious that I knew I had to learn how to make them. After trying a few recipes and tweaking them, I finally perfected my favorite Christmas spritz cookie recipe.

These cookies can be a little tricky at first, but the key is making sure your dough and cookie sheet aren’t too warm. You don’t necessarily need to chill the dough, but if it gets too soft, it won’t release properly from the cookie press. I’ve found that a few minutes in the fridge helps the dough hold its shape perfectly.

This is similar to the cookie press I use, it comes with so many fun shapes, but for the holidays, I always stick with the classic Christmas tree. It’s the perfect way to make festive, buttery cookies that everyone will love.

What Are Spritz Cookies?

Spritz cookies (also known as Spritzgebäck) are rich, buttery cookies with German and Alsatian roots. Their name comes from the German verb spritzen, meaning “to squirt,” because the dough is “squirted” or pressed through a cookie press to form intricate shapes. These cookies hold their shape beautifully when baked, thanks to their simple dough—usually made with butter, sugar, flour, and eggs—without leavening agents. Over the holidays, spritz cookies are especially popular in Christmas-tree, star, and wreath shapes.

Why This Christmas Spritz Cookie Recipe Is a Holiday Favorite

• Classic holiday tradition: these butter cookies feel nostalgic and festive.
• Beautiful shapes: using a cookie press lets you make Christmas trees, stars, and more.
• Simple yet rich: made with pantry staples and real butter.
• Fun for all ages: kids can press shapes, and adults can help bake and decorate.
• Excellent for gifts or cookie exchanges – they look pretty and travel well.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this Christmas spritz cookie recipe:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Optional: sprinkles or decorative sugar

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mix butter and sugar together in a mixer until smooth
• Add egg, vanilla extract and almond extract and beat at a high speed for about 1 minute
• On low speed gradually mix in the flour and salt
• Fill cookie press with dough (follow user manual instructions)
• Add sprinkles or decorative sugar
• Press out cookies on a lined baking sheet (chill dough if the dough doesn’t separate from the press easily)
• Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned
• Let cookies cool for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack

Print

Christmas Tree Spritz Cookies

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 70 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix butter and sugar together in a mixer until smooth
3. Add egg, vanilla extract and almond extract and beat at a high speed for about 1 minute
4. On low speed gradually mix in the flour and salt
5. Fill cookie press with dough (follow user manual instructions)
6. Add sprinkles or decorative sugar
7. Press out cookies on a lined baking sheet (chill dough if the dough doesn’t separate from the press easily)
8. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned
9. Let cookies cool for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack

Make‑Ahead & Freezer‑Friendly Tips

• Make ahead: After pressing the shapes, place the cookies on a baking sheet until firm, then cover tightly and store at room temperature for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Freezing unbaked cookies:
  1. Press the dough shapes and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  2. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip bag (with parchment paper between layers)
  3. Keep for up to 1 month.
  4. When ready, bake straight from frozen—add 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
• Freezing baked cookies: Let them cool completely, then layer between parchment paper in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a warm oven (around 300°F) to restore crispness.

Tips & Variations for Christmas Spritz Cookies

• Flavor variations: Try almond extract instead of vanilla for a more traditional spritz flavor.
• Coloring ideas: Use gel food coloring to tint your dough red, green, or pastel for fun holiday shapes.
• Decorative touches: Add holiday sprinkles, sanding sugar, or gently press in small candy pearls before baking.
• Chocolate-dipped spritz: Once baked and cooled, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and let set on parchment paper.
• Shape swap: Use plain disc shapes (stars, wreaths, animals) for non-Christmas versions — be creative with your cookie press!

Storage & Serving

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• For gift-giving, layer cookies between parchment paper in a decorative tin or box.
• Serve these buttery Christmas spritz cookies with hot cocoa, coffee, or tea — their delicate shape and rich flavor make them a festive favorite.