Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that combines a tender, buttery texture with a subtle tang from cream cheese. These festive green cookies shaped like wreaths or Christmas trees are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• Green food coloring
• Cinnamon Red Hots (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375º F.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the flour, mixing gently to combine without overworking the dough.
5. Step 5: Add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the dough reaches your desired shade.
6. Step 6: Shape the dough into a log roughly the thickness of your cookie press.
7. Step 7: Fill your cookie press with about one-quarter of the dough, adjusting based on the size of your press.
8. Step 8: Press cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, forming shapes like wreaths or Christmas trees. For wreaths, place three Cinnamon Red Hots on each to create a small bow effect.
9. Step 9: Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes until the edges are set. Avoid underbaking—if the tops look wet, they need more time.
10. Step 10: Remove the baking sheets from the oven as soon as the tops look dry. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 3-4 minutes to set, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a festive twist, try using red or white food coloring instead of green to create different holiday colors.
• If you don’t have a cookie press, a piping bag with a star tip works well to shape these cookies.
• Make sure to soften both the butter and cream cheese completely to ensure a smooth, creamy dough.
• Press cookies evenly to help them bake uniformly and maintain their delicate shape.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you’d like to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. To reheat, let the cookies come to room temperature on their own to preserve their texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter provides the best flavor and texture for these spritz cookies. Using margarine may affect the taste and how the dough presses, so it’s best to stick with unsalted butter if possible.

Why is my dough too soft to handle?

If the dough is too soft, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before using the cookie press. This will firm it up and make pressing easier while helping the cookies hold their shape during baking.

Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 127 reviews

Delight in these classic Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies, perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a tender, buttery treat with a subtle tang from cream cheese. With a festive touch of green food coloring and cinnamon Red Hots, these cookies not only taste amazing but also bring a cheerful look to your cookie platter.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: About 3 dozen cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• Green food coloring, a few drops

Decoration

• Cinnamon Red Hots, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375º F (190º C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
2. Cream Butter, Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, softened cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Incorporate Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until they are fully combined into the batter.
4. Add Flour Gradually: Slowly blend in the all-purpose flour being careful not to overmix, ensuring a tender dough.
5. Add Food Coloring: Drop in a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the dough reaches the desired festive hue.
6. Shape the Dough: Form the dough into a log roughly the thickness of your cookie press nozzle for easy shaping.
7. Fill the Cookie Press: Load about one-quarter of the dough into your cookie press, depending on the size of your press and the amount of dough.
8. Form Cookies: Press the dough onto ungreased baking sheets into shapes like wreaths or Christmas trees. Add three little Cinnamon Red Hots on wreaths to mimic bows for decoration.
9. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 7-8 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look dry (not wet).
10. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven as soon as they look dry on top. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes to set, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

• Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
• Use a cookie press for evenly shaped and festive cookies.
• If you don’t have green food coloring, you can omit it or choose another color to match the occasion.
• The Cinnamon Red Hots add a spicy touch and a pop of color; they can be omitted if you prefer a simpler cookie.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheet initially to prevent breaking before transferring them to a wire rack.

Keywords: Cream cheese cookies, spritz cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, cookie press