How to Use a Cookie Press

spritz cookies

Leah Maroney 

We love when cookie season rolls around. The varieties, the flavors, and the smell of these fresh-baked morsels filling up the house just send us here at The Spruce Eats into a tizzy. But sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which type of cookies to bake and how to shape them. That's why we've created an easy to follow guide on how to shape your basic butter cookie using a cookie press.

Just follow these simple steps and you'll have gorgeous batches of uniform cookies to share at your upcoming cookie exchanges in no time.

  • 01 of 09

    Combine Dry Ingredients for Cookie Dough

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    Like most other cookie recipes, it's best to begin by combining the dry ingredients. Either do this by measuring ingredients into a large bowl and mix with a wire whisk. A sifter may also be used to combine the ingredients.

  • 02 of 09

    Cream Butter and Sugar(s)

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    Cream the butter, margarine and/or shortening with the sugar(s) until completely combined.

  • 03 of 09

    Add Eggs and Vanilla

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    Add the eggs one at a time and combine. Add vanilla and mix completely.
    If you prefer to make colored butter cookies, this is the step where the food dye or coloring is added.

  • 04 of 09

    Gradually Adding Dry Ingredients

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    Gradually add the dry ingredients until the dough is formed. It's not absolutely necessary, but I prefer to refrigerate the dough before going any further. The dough can be in the refrigerator for just the time it takes to preheat the oven prepare the cookie sheets. Or it can be in for a couple of days. This cookie dough may also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    It is best at room temperature when you are ready to press. 

    Roll it into logs for the easiest way to put it into the press. 

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Filling the Cookie Press

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    There are many different cookie presses on the market.  You can choose a manual one or an electric one.  Read reviews and choose the one that is best for you!

    Preheat the oven according to the recipe. Make sure to use an aluminum baking sheet and do not grease it. Fill the cookie press either by spooning the dough into the container or by making a cylinder-shaped piece of dough to fit in the tube.

  • 06 of 09

    Choose a Disc

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    All cookies presses come with several design disks. These are the ones that came with mine. Consult your booklet for the outcome of each disc.

  • 07 of 09

    Filling Baking Sheet

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    Using the cookie press, dispense dough on a prepared baking sheet. Please keep in mind that not that much space is needed between most pressed cookies. They don't expand very much.

  • 08 of 09

    Decorating Cookies

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    Just before putting the cookies in the oven, decorate cookies with colored sugar, sprinkles, red hots, and/or other decorations.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Bake the Cookies

    spritz cookies
    Leah Maroney

    The cookie press cookies are done when the edges turn brown. Remove from oven and cool on pan on wire rack for 2 minutes. Finish cooling off of pan and on wire rack. Keep in airtight container.