Cheerful Easter Spritz Cookies

Easter Spritz Cookies usually signal the real start of spring in my kitchen, long before the tulips fully open outside. One quiet morning close to Easter, my husband set the radio low while my youngest grandson spread cookie sheets across the counter, lining them up with great care.

The sunlight came in soft through the window, catching on pastel decorations pulled out from a box that only appears once a year. The cookie press sat nearby, already cleaned and waiting, a tool that always draws curious hands. I could hear children in the yard down the street, their voices floating in and out as the dough came together.

Easter Spritz Cookies often bring several generations into the same space, even if everyone plays a different role. My daughter checks the oven temperature while her son debates which color M&M should go in the center of each cookie.

Someone always sneaks a piece of dough despite knowing better, and flour finds its way onto sleeves and the edge of the sink. These moments unfold naturally, without rushing, shaped by laughter and small decisions that do not need correcting.

Easter Spritz Cookies end up filling tins that travel to neighbors, church gatherings, and kitchen tables that expect company. The cookies cool quickly, but the energy in the room stays lively long after the last tray comes out. Baking them feels tied to the season itself, marking a moment of renewal, shared effort, and quiet celebration.

Short Description

Easter Spritz Cookies are tender, buttery pressed cookies made with cream cheese and almond extract, finished with colorful Easter M&Ms for a festive touch.

Key Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt optional
• 2 sticks butter, cold
• 4 oz cream cheese, cold
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• ¾ teaspoon almond extract
• ½ cup Easter M&Ms

Tools Needed

• Cookie press
• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Two cookie sheets
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pans
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place two empty cookie sheets in the refrigerator to chill. Cold pans help the cookies keep their shape when pressed.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cold butter and cold cream cheese on medium speed until well combined and smooth. The mixture should look cohesive but still cool to the touch.

Step 3: Add Sugar and Flavorings
Add the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes lighter in color. Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Add the Flour
Add the flour one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. The dough should come together and hold its shape without sticking. If the dough appears too soft, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before pressing.

Step 5: Press the Cookies
Fill the cookie press with dough. Press cookies directly onto an ungreased, chilled cookie sheet, leaving space between each one.

Step 6: Bake
Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, until the bottoms and outer edges just begin to turn light golden. Avoid overbaking, as spritz cookies should remain pale on top.

Step 7: Add Easter M&Ms
Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one Easter M&M into the center of each cookie. Work quickly, as the cookies firm up fast and may crack if they cool too much.

Step 8: Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tender texture with a delicate crumb

Festive appearance perfect for Easter

Easy dough that works well in a cookie press

Balanced sweetness with almond flavor

Ideal for baking with children

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Using warm butter
Warm butter causes cookies to spread.
Solution: Keep butter and cream cheese cold before mixing.

Dough sticking in the press
This often happens if the dough is too soft.
Solution: Chill the dough briefly before pressing.

Cookies cracking when adding M&Ms
Cookies harden quickly after baking.
Solution: Press M&Ms in immediately after removing from the oven.

Overbaking
Spritz cookies dry out easily.
Solution: Remove when edges are lightly golden, not browned.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Arrange on a spring themed platter

Serve with tea or light coffee

Include on Easter dessert tables

Pack into gift tins for sharing

Serve alongside fresh fruit

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days

Layer cookies with parchment to prevent sticking

Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months

Thaw at room temperature before serving

Do not reheat, as cookies are best at room temperature

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Let it soften slightly before pressing.

2. Can I skip the almond extract?
Yes, replace it with additional vanilla if preferred.

3. Why won’t my cookies stick to the pan when pressing?
Greased pans prevent adhesion. Use ungreased, chilled cookie sheets.

4. Can I use regular M&Ms?
Yes, but Easter M&Ms add seasonal color.

5. How do I keep the shapes crisp?
Use cold dough and chilled pans for best results.

Tips & Tricks

Chill pans between batches

Refill the cookie press before it runs empty

Clean the press nozzle often for smooth shapes

Recipe Variations

Lemon Easter Spritz Cookies
Replace almond extract with 1 teaspoon lemon extract and add 1 tablespoon lemon zest.

Chocolate Spritz Cookies
Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder and skip the M&Ms.

Classic Plain Spritz
Omit M&Ms and sprinkle cookies lightly with colored sugar before baking.

Final Thoughts

Easter Spritz Cookies have a way of bringing steady energy into my kitchen during the season. The process moves along easily, with familiar steps and just enough detail to keep everyone involved. Each tray feels connected to earlier years, even as new hands help shape the cookies.

Easter Spritz Cookies often end up shared beyond the kitchen, tucked into boxes or passed across tables. Preparing them continues a quiet pattern that suits the season well, offering something simple, festive, and meant to be enjoyed together.