cream cheese spritz

I was so disappointed a few years ago, when I was sure I had a great family recipe to share, something everyone I knew who’d tried it had loved, something I hadn’t seen before on other cookie plates, something that had been a classic in my family for as long as I could remember.

But, a quick internet search indicated that everyone knew about cream cheese spritz cookies already! It’s on every well-established recipe website, in every magazine at some point in its history, in so many blogs, and hey! It’s in this blog now too. And not even at Christmastime! Yes, I make cream cheese spritz year round, because they are so darn good.

That being said…there are other spritz cookie recipes out there that are worth making, right? Please let me know if you have any! It would be nice to get some more use out of my cookie press. Although, even if I only use it for this one recipe, it’s worth having just for that.


Poor deformed cookies. Clearly I need more spritz practice.

One year ago: Basic Lentil Soup
Two years ago: Snickery Squares

Printer Friendly Recipe
Cream Cheese Spritz

I’ve tweaked the amount of butter and cream cheese from the standard recipe, just so that it uses a more convenient amount of cream cheese. Also so that it’s even cream cheesier, which is never a bad thing.

14 tablespoons (1¾ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2½ cups flour (12 ounces) all-purpose flour

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

2. Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment and add the butter and cream cheese to the mixer bowl (or a large mixing bowl with a hand-held mixer). Beat on medium-low speed until the butter and cream cheese are soft and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the salt, then, with the mixer running, slowly pour in the sugar. Continue mixing on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running, add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat until thoroughly incorporated, about 1 minute, stopping the scrape the mixer bowl as necessary. Reduce to mixer speed to its lowest setting and gradually add the flour, mixing just until incorporated.

3. Fill the cookie press with the dough. Spritz the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until they no longer look wet on top and the edges are slightly browned. Let the cookies cool for several minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cook completely. Sealed in an airtight bag, the cookies will keep for several days.

Comments

  1. My MIL actually just gave me a cookie press that she’s had for years and never used – must be fate telling me to make these cookies!

  2. What is this: Christmas in July (or May, for that matter)? How fun!!! I love spritz. I usually use the Betty Crocker recipe from mom mom’s 1950 cookbook (why mess with perfection)? The only thing I do is make sure I refrigerate the ungreased cookie sheets (the dough sticks better) – but these look wonderful! – even the “misfits” of lost cookies!

  3. Suzy Q says:

    I love spritz, too. Had to ‘downsize’ my cookie press collection when I realized I had a brand new set, plus about four ‘vintage’ ones from garage sales. I always stick to the recipe for ‘Christmas Trees’ from the booklet in my mom’s 1950’s set as it has almond extract in it.

  4. Cathie says:

    I’ve never made cream cheese spritz; I’ve always made lemon cream cheese. It doesn’t actually come out of the press very well, but even in ugly blobs they are amazing.

  5. vanessa says:

    do you need a cookie press to make these?

  6. Bookmarked.

    Are these sweet or savoury? I’ve never heard of them before!! What does it mean by “spritz”? Do you need special equipment? (A “spritzer”??)

    Wei-Wei

  7. I’ve developed a love over recent years of all sweet things involving cream cheese. I will definitely add these to my to-make list.
    Have you ever given a review of the type of equipment you use? I noticed you have a silicone baking mat you use, and I was wondering if you like it. I have an Exopat Matfer that I love, but I bought a different brand recently that doesn’t seem to work as well. Your stuff always looks beautiful (not just cookies), so you must have decent equipment.

  8. Beth H says:

    I am so happy to see this recipe. BUT, I am having trouble finding a good “spritzer” machine. I have looked at a few on Amazon and read the reviews. Which one do you use? Would you recommend it? Is it hard to turn/spritz? Thanks for the recipe!

  9. I’ve never even heard of a spritz or a cookie press, but they sound fantastic!

  10. I have an older German spritz cookie press that I only ever break out during the holidays, but I’m inspired! We have an old family recipe for banana spritz cookies that are phenominal, and I’m not a big banana fan. I’ll have to make a batch soon, I highly recommend them!
    And yes, practice does make perfect with spritz cookies!

  11. Pfft, I don’t believe in withholding holiday treats for 11 months. (Well, to be fair, we don’t usually make Spritz cookies any time of year anyway.) So I’m all for eating these now 🙂 The banana spritz from the comment above sound amazing.

  12. love spritz cookies though sadly I only ever eat them at Christmas when my gma makes them. Yours look awesome and I hope you find more spritz cookie recipes to post!! 🙂

  13. i don’t have a spritzer myself, but they sure do make cute cookies!

  14. I am so happy to see this recipe. BUT, I am having trouble finding a good “spritzer” machine. I have looked at a few on Amazon and read the reviews. Which one do you use? Would you recommend it? Is it hard to turn/spritz? Thanks for the recipe!

  15. I have an older German spritz cookie press that I only ever break out during the holidays, but I’m inspired! We have an old family recipe for banana spritz cookies that are phenominal, and I’m not a big banana fan. I’ll have to make a batch soon, I highly recommend them!
    And yes, practice does make perfect with spritz cookies!

  16. Steve and Beth,

    Search for older cookie presses.
    These new ones are terrible and not that good.
    You wold do better to find an older one.
    THEY are the good ones.

  17. I had searched quite awhile before finding this recipe. These were great! I have an older cookie press and these were easy to work with and turned out delicious.