5 Quick Tips for Making Traditional Spritz Cookies

Traditional spritz cookies are a European family favorite when it comes to the Christmas holidays. Thought to come from the German word, spritzen -- to inject, spritz cookies are made by pressing -- or injecting -- buttery dough through a hand press. Scandinavian households have spritz cookie presses that were handed down through the generations.

But here are some modern tips for making traditional spritz cookies easier and faster than Grandma did.

Tip #1: Use the Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II Cookie Press. It comes with 16 different cookie shapes that include merry snowflakes and Christmas trees, and four fun mini cookie designs. The comfortable, lever-action press is easier on your hand than was Grandma's syringe-like plunger.

Tip #2: For even better dough-control, splurge and buy the Wilton Cookie Master Plus Cordless Cookie Press. You can use it for cookies or crackers. Simply touch the "forward" button to press dough through barrel. Holding the "forward" button longer will give you larger cookies and crackers; holding the "forward" button for less time will yield smaller.

Tip # 3: Use room temperature dough. One of the problems Grandma had was getting stiff, buttery dough out of the press. With room temperature dough, you won't have that challenge.

Tip # 4: Don't grease your cookie sheet. The dough needs to adhere to the cookie sheet before it will detach from the press. The grease will prevent the dough from adhering. Likewise, don't use non-stick cookie sheets. Shiny aluminum cookie sheets at room temperature work best. If the metal sheet is warm, the dough won't stick to its surface.

Tip #5: Try putting your cookie sheets in the freezer for several hours before making the cookies - the dough will stick to your frozen cookie sheet just like your tongue would. (Don't try this at home -- or on the frozen flagpole in front of your elementary school building.)

Tip #6: Remove the cookies from the oven once the peaks and bottoms of the cookies turn golden brown. Allow to stand on the cookie sheet for a few seconds after baking.

Tip#7: If your design gets lost after baking, you are pressing out too much dough.

Tip# 8: Although baked spritz cookies freeze well when placed in freezer bags, the raw dough does not.

Use the eight quick tips for making traditional spritz cookies and your holiday cookie baskets and plates will be more festive than ever.