Effortless Spring Spritz Cookies: A Delightful 5-Ingredient Recipe for Buttery Flower Treats

Welcome the vibrant flavors of spring into your kitchen with these charming Spring Spritz Cookies. These delightful treats are soft, exquisitely buttery shortbread cookies that practically melt in your mouth. With a simple ingredient list of just five staples (plus colorful M&Ms for that signature festive touch!), this recipe is a joy to make and perfect for celebrating Easter, Mother’s Day, or any sunny spring gathering. Using a cookie press, you can effortlessly create beautiful flower shapes, transforming basic dough into edible works of art.

This recipe for Spring Spritz Cookies is beloved for its straightforward approach, requiring minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. While the ingredients are simple, the secret to their unique appeal lies in using a cookie press. This handy tool allows you to extrude the dough into intricate flower shapes, giving these shortbread cookies their signature look. Once baked to perfection, a colorful M&M is gently pressed into the center of each cookie, instantly transforming them into cheerful spring blossoms. It’s a fun and engaging process that yields stunning results, making these cookies a highlight of any dessert table.

Why You’ll Adore These Spring Spritz Cookies

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this Spring Spritz Cookie recipe. Beyond their undeniable cuteness and delicious taste, these cookies offer a baking experience that is both rewarding and relatively simple, even for novice bakers. Here’s why they quickly become a favorite:

• Effortless Ingredients: You’ll be amazed at how such basic pantry staples – butter, sugar, flour, an egg, and a touch of almond extract – can combine to create something so incredibly delicious and refined. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, proving that you don’t need exotic ingredients for extraordinary flavor. These are ingredients you likely already have on hand, making impromptu baking sessions a breeze.
• Charmingly Unique Shapes: Unlike many standard drop cookies, spritz cookies offer a delightful visual appeal. The cookie press allows you to create intricate and consistent shapes, with flower designs being particularly perfect for spring. Most cookie presses come with a variety of interchangeable discs, including several lovely floral options, enabling you to experiment with different patterns. These distinct shapes make your cookies stand out and add a touch of elegance to any plate.
• Irresistibly Buttery Flavor: These cookies are the epitome of classic shortbread – tender, sweet, and bursting with rich, buttery flavor. The texture is a delightful balance of crisp edges and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior. The almond extract enhances this richness, adding a subtle yet sophisticated note that elevates the overall taste experience. They are truly yummy and addictive!
• Perfectly Customizable: While M&Ms are our preferred choice for their vibrant colors and satisfying crunch, these spritz cookies are incredibly versatile. You can easily swap almond extract for vanilla or lemon extract to change the flavor profile. Consider adding a few drops of food coloring to the dough for pastel hues, or decorating with sprinkles, a simple glaze, or even mini chocolate chips instead of M&Ms.
• Ideal for Any Spring Occasion: Their festive appearance and delicious taste make them perfect for a wide range of spring events. From Easter gatherings and Mother’s Day brunches to garden parties or simply as a special treat for family, these cookies are always a hit. They also make wonderful homemade gifts!

Essential Ingredients for Spring Spritz Cookies

Creating these delightful spring cookies requires only a handful of everyday ingredients. Quality matters, so choose wisely for the best results:

• Butter: For the ultimate buttery flavor and tender texture, real butter is non-negotiable. I consistently opt for **salted butter** in cookie recipes, especially those like this one that don’t call for additional salt. The touch of salt perfectly balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before you begin, as this is crucial for proper creaming with the sugar. Avoid margarine or butter substitutes, as they can alter the texture and taste significantly.
• Granulated Sugar: A fundamental component in any cookie, granulated sugar provides sweetness and contributes to the crisp-tender texture of spritz cookies. It also helps to create those desirable airy pockets when creamed with butter.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our cookie structure, all-purpose flour works beautifully here. It provides the necessary gluten development for structure without making the cookies tough. When measuring, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge to ensure accuracy. If you need a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend can be used, though the texture might vary slightly.
• Egg: Just one large egg acts as the binding agent, holding all the ingredients together and adding moisture to the dough. It also contributes to the richness and helps achieve that characteristic delicate texture. Ensure your egg is at room temperature for better incorporation into the butter mixture.
• Almond Extract: This is the secret ingredient that imparts so much of the unique, delicate flavor to these spritz cookies! Its distinct nutty and sweet aroma perfectly complements the buttery shortbread. If you have nut allergies or simply prefer a different flavor, vanilla extract is an excellent substitute. Lemon extract could also offer a bright, zesty twist, fitting perfectly with the spring theme.
• Easter M&M’s: These colorful candies are used to form the charming centers of each cookie, turning them into little edible flowers. Pastel-colored Easter M&M’s are ideal for achieving that quintessential spring look, but any color M&M’s will work just as well if you’re not strictly adhering to a spring palette. The key is to press them onto the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven while the cookies are still warm and pliable, ensuring they stick firmly as the cookies cool.

How to Create Your Spring Spritz Cookies: Expert Tips & Techniques

Making Spritz Cookies is a rewarding experience, and with a few key tips, you can achieve perfect results every time. While detailed instructions are in the recipe card below, here are some expanded pointers to ensure your floral treats turn out beautifully:

• Master the Cookie Press with Two Pumps: This is a crucial technique for achieving the ideal thickness and softness. Instead of a single quick press, use two distinct pumps of the cookie press for each cookie. This method ensures the dough is sufficiently extruded, resulting in thicker cookies that are wonderfully soft and less prone to breaking. Thicker cookies also have a more satisfying chew and retain moisture better, contributing to their buttery flavor. Don’t be afraid to practice on a separate surface first if you’re new to using a cookie press.
• Embrace Regular, Chilled Cookie Sheets: Forget your non-stick pans, parchment paper, or silicone mats for spritz cookies! The unique nature of spritz dough requires it to adhere slightly to the baking surface to hold its intricate shape during extrusion. A bare, regular aluminum baking sheet is ideal. Crucially, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (or even longer, up to 30 minutes) before pressing out the dough. The cold surface helps the dough stick and prevents it from spreading too quickly in the oven. Despite needing to stick initially, the generous amount of butter in the recipe ensures the baked cookies will release easily once cooled slightly.
• Handle Sticky Dough with Care (and Chill if Needed): Spritz cookie dough is inherently buttery and can sometimes feel sticky, especially if your kitchen is warm. Don’t be alarmed; this is normal! A spoon or rubber spatula can be helpful for scooping the dough into the cookie press cylinder without making a mess. If the dough becomes too sticky to work with, or if your cookies aren’t holding their shape well, simply wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. This will firm up the butter, making the dough much more manageable and easier to press. Just remember, a slightly cooler dough works best.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough rather than tender cookies. The goal is a light, buttery texture.
• Perfect Baking Time is Key: Spritz cookies bake quickly. Keep a close eye on them, as they should be firm to the touch but not browned around the edges. A light golden hue on the very bottom is usually a good indicator of doneness. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
• Immediate M&M Placement: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still hot, gently press an M&M into the center of each flower. The residual heat will slightly melt the chocolate, ensuring the M&M adheres perfectly to the cookie as it cools. Make sure the M&M logo faces down for a smooth, colorful top!

STORING AND FREEZING YOUR SPRING SPRITZ COOKIES

Proper storage ensures your beautiful Spritz Cookies remain fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to keep them at their best:

• Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To maintain their delicate texture and prevent them from becoming stale, ensure the container is truly airtight. You can also place a piece of bread in the container to help absorb excess moisture and keep them soft.
• Freezing for Longer Freshness: Spritz cookies freeze exceptionally well, allowing you to prepare them in advance or save extras for later. They can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. For best results, arrange them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reattaching M&Ms After Freezing: A common occurrence when freezing cookies with M&Ms is that the candies might sometimes detach during the freezing or thawing process. This is perfectly normal and easily remedied! After the cookies have thawed completely, simply use a tiny dab of frosting (store-bought or homemade), melted chocolate, or even corn syrup as an edible “glue” to reattach any fallen M&Ms. This quick fix ensures your cookies look as charming as they did when freshly baked.
• Thawing Instructions: To thaw, simply remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them come to room temperature on the counter for about 1-2 hours. Do not microwave, as this can alter their delicate texture.

Spring Spritz Cookie Recipe

Spring Spritz Cookies are incredibly soft, rich, and buttery shortbread cookies. You only need 5 simple ingredients (plus colorful M&Ms for decoration) to craft these delightful flower-shaped treats that are absolutely perfect for any spring celebration!

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Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Easter Cookies, Flower Cookies, Shortbread, Spring Spritz Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Servings: 36 cookies

Calories: 87kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

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Ingredients 

• 1 cup salted butter softened to room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp almond extract (or vanilla extract)
• Easter M&M’s pastel colors, for decoration

Instructions

• Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a clean, regular (non-stick is NOT recommended) baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to chill thoroughly. This step is essential for the cookies to hold their shape properly!
• Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for at least 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This incorporates air, contributing to a tender cookie. Then, add the all-purpose flour, room temperature egg, and almond extract (or vanilla) and mix until just thoroughly combined. Be careful not to overmix once the flour is added.
• Load the Cookie Press: Assemble your cookie press with your desired flower-shaped disc. Transfer the prepared cookie dough into the cylinder of the cookie press, filling it almost to the top. If the dough seems too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before filling the press.
• Press Out Shapes: Remove the chilled baking sheet from the refrigerator. Press the dough out directly onto the cold baking sheet, using two pumps of the cookie press for each cookie. This “double pump” technique helps create thicker, softer, and less fragile cookies. Leave a little space (about 1 inch) between each cookie.
• Bake and Decorate: Bake the cookies for 5-8 minutes, or until the edges are firm and set, but not yet browned. Baking times can vary, so watch them closely. Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one Easter M&M into the center of each warm cookie, with the M&M symbol facing down for a smooth finish. The warmth of the cookie will help the M&M adhere.
• Cool and Serve: Very carefully transfer the still-fragile cookies from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely. Handle them gently until they have fully cooled and firmed up. Once cooled, enjoy your beautiful and delicious Spring Spritz Cookies!

Notes

These delightful cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, retaining their fresh taste and tender texture.

For longer storage, the cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Please note that sometimes during the freezing and thawing process, the M&Ms may become dislodged. If this happens, simply use a tiny bit of frosting, melted chocolate, or even corn syrup to reattach the M&Ms back onto the thawed cookies when needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 164IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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More Spring Cookie Recipes to Brighten Your Day:

If you’ve enjoyed making these Spring Spritz Cookies, you’re in for a treat! Spring is a season for colorful and fresh flavors, and we have plenty of other cookie recipes that are perfect for welcoming the warmer weather. Expand your spring baking repertoire with these fantastic ideas:

• You simply can’t have spring without celebrating flowers! For more floral-inspired delights, try our Buttercream Flower Cookies, which feature delicate frosting decorations, M&M Spring Flower Cookie Bites for a smaller, bite-sized flower, and our charming Pink Daisy Cookies. Each of these recipes is not only pretty but also incredibly delicious and truly embodies the spirit of spring.
• Blossom cookies are always a crowd-pleaser and offer a delightful combination of cookie and chocolate. Our Easter Blossom Cookies are wonderfully colorful and are topped with creamy Hershey Hugs for a delightful finish. For a fudgier alternative, the Easter Brownie Blossom Cookies are made with a convenient brownie mix and crowned with classic Hershey Kisses, offering a rich chocolatey twist.
• There’s something about the bright, zesty flavor of lemon that just screams spring. If you’re a fan of citrus, you must try our Lemon Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies, which are quick, easy, and refreshingly light. For a baked treat, our White Chocolate Chip Lemon Cookies are wonderfully soft, chewy, and packed with an invigorating lemon flavor complemented by sweet white chocolate.

These Spring Spritz Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to bring joy and color into your home. With their soft, buttery shortbread texture and charming flower shapes accentuated by cheerful M&M centers, they are the quintessential treat for spring. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this simple 5-ingredient recipe provides a straightforward path to creating beautiful, delicious cookies that will impress everyone. So, grab your cookie press, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake some springtime magic!