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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

What’s the Best Cookie Press for Spritz Cookies

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A cookie press can get you all those fun, holiday shapes!
A cookie press can get you all those fun, holiday shapes!

This is my top pick among cookie presses, check it out at Amazon. It’s durable, easy-to-use, and it creates beautiful, unique cookies for any season!

Before looking at options for this title, it is important to understand exactly what we are talking about when we say “cookie press” and “spritz cookies.”

A cookie press is a cylindrical device with a plunger at one end and a hole at the other end. The plunger is used to push cookie dough out from a hole. At the end with the hole, various interchangeable perforated plates with different shaped openings can be attached so that the dough is pushed out in distinctive shapes. As cookies are especially popular during the holiday period, and common examples include a star or snowflake shape.

Best Cookie Press for Spritz CookiesBest Features
OXO Good Grips Cookie Press with Stainless Steel Disks and Storage Case,White,1001. OXO Good Grips Cookie Press non-slip base keeps cookies neat and uniform
Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II With 3 Bonus Disks. (20)2. Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra III Cookie Press 19 regular-size cookie discs and 4 miniature ones make this a fun option
<Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press, 13-Piece3. Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press 13 pieces are priced for those on a budget
Cookie Press Maker Kit for DIY Biscuit Maker and Decoration with 20 Stainless Steel Cookie discs and 4 nozzles4. YOOUSOO Cookie Press Maker Kit lower price is great for those on a budget
Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker Press, Made in Italy, Includes 20 Cookie Disc Shapes, Blue5. Marcato Deluxe Biscuit Maker choice of five colors makes this gadget pop in your kitchen
Cuisinart CCP-10 Electric Cookie Press with 12 Discs and 8 Decorating Tips, White6. Cuisinart CCP-10PK Electric Cookie Press one-touch operation system and ergonomic handles makes this easy to use
HuiJia Stainless Steel Biscuit Press Cookie Gun Set with 13 Discs and 8 Icing Tips7. HuiJia Stainless Steel Biscuit Press Cookie Gun sleek and modern design is also durable and long-lasting
Edge Cook Spritz-Cookie-Press-Gun-Kit 20 Disc with 8 Icing Tips: Sturdy-Stainless-Steel - Works Even with Arthritis - Ideal for Holidays-Baking-Biscuit, Cake, Churro, Cookie Maker8. Edge Cook Spritz Cookie Press Gun Kit seasonal discs makes this a fun option for holidays and celebrations

What is a spritz, anyway?

A spritz, or to use its full name, Spritzebäck, is a cookie that originates from Germany and Alsatian-Mosellan. Spritzen is a German verb meaning “to squirt.” As the name implies, these cookies are made from pushing (or squirting) cookie dough out from a cookie press. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be decorated with chocolate, raisins, sprinkles, icing, or anything else you want to personalize your cookies for any occasion. While these are especially popular around the holiday season, they are also delicious year-round treats.

Many people can fondly remember family members spending hours in the kitchen during the holiday season baking up a storm, and if you’re of European descent, it’s likely that spritz cookies were one of the many delicious treats being made! Some families even pass down their cookie presses for generations, continuing the tradition of spritz cookies every year. But if your great grandma’s cookie press isn’t quite cutting it for you anymore, it may be time to take a look at some modern options.

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Things to consider in your cookie press

When looking at the large number of available presses, there are a few things of which to be aware. Like all appliances with moving parts, ease of use and durability are important.

For example, if the dough is a little thick, and greater force is required to force out the dough, will the handle withstand this pressure? Or, will it snap off, rendering your press useless? Is there room for the handle or plunger to come out of sync, making the press unusable?

In addition to the functional requirements, other features can make the experience more satisfying. These include how easy is it to wash, how many different attachments it comes with, and how easily the handle dispenses the dough.

Tons of designs to choose from!
Tons of designs to choose from!

Recommended cookie presses

OXO Good Grips Cookie Press

OXO 1257580 Good Grips Cookie Press with Stainless Steel Disks and Storage Case,White,100

View on Amazon

The OXO Good Grips Press is a popular choice and certainly a favorite. The non-slip base keeps the press steady on a cookie sheet, helping to keep the cookies neat and uniform. A long handle provides greater leverage to dispense the dough and is designed for durability and repeated use.

The clear plastic cylinder lets you monitor exactly how much dough has been used and how much is left. It also disassembles incredibly easily to make cleaning a breeze, as this part is dishwasher safe. The easily removable cylinder also makes reloading new dough very easy, so that you can bake up multiple batches of spritz cookies in no time.

It also comes with 12 different stainless steel disks in various patterns. These include a daisy, regular flower, a sunflower, a fleur-de-lis, a butterfly, a bear, a shell, a leaf, a heart, and some holiday options like a snowflake, a tree, and a wreath. This set will have you covered for you baking needs any time of the year!

Since the disks are made of this durable stainless steel material, they will last for years to come, unlike popular plastic counterparts. This material also makes them very easy to clean.

What’s also great about the disks is that they come in a neat compact storage case. The case stops them from getting lost and mixed up at the back of a kitchen drawer. This is a handy accessory that does not come with most other presses.

Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra III Cookie Press

Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II With 3 Bonus Disks. (20)

View on Amazon

This offering by Wilton is a slightly less expensive option, but still a great cookie press. It has most of the features that the OXO device has, including a non-slip silicone base and a transparent cylinder to see how much cookie dough is left.

The Wilton comes with 19 regular size cookie press discs and 4 mini-size discs to make smaller cookies, which is a fun option. It also comes with a recipe booklet with all kinds of cookie and snack recipes to follow.

To operate, instead of pushing the handle down, you pull up on the handle. (It’s kind of like pulling the trigger on a water hose). If that seems like an easier motion for you, this might be a great device for your kitchen. The only potential problem with this design is the lack of leverage you get with a push model, so if your dough is thick, it might be harder to press out with this kind of handle. See how to avoid this kind of thick, dense dough below.

Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press

Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press, 13-Piece

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The Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press is a less costly option, but is absolutely fantastic, given all the accessories it comes with on top of the quality of the product.

This set comes with 12 designer disks, including seasonal ones for holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, among others.

This press really does have everything else you’d need for the perfect batch of spritz cookies, including a see-through cylinder. It’s great for those who are new to making spritz cookies and need a budget-friendly press to get started.

YOOUSOO Cookie Press Maker Kit

Cookie Press Maker Kit for DIY Biscuit Maker and Decoration with 20 Stainless Steel Cookie discs and 4 nozzles

View on Amazon

Interested in a budget press? Check out the cookie press by Houseman. This is a stainless steel design, featuring an opaque cylinder. That does make it difficult to monitor how much dough is left. However, you get a lot of value for your money. This kit includes 20 cookie disks, a biscuit machine and four piping mouths with icing tips.

The steel body is very durable and the press normally comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Marcato Deluxe Biscuit Maker

Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker Press, Made in Italy, Includes 20 Cookie Disc Shapes, Blue

View on Amazon

The Marcato Deluxe Biscuit Maker is another strong option. Don’t be put off by the “biscuit” name! This Italian device is still a classic cookie press model (a “cookie” is actually called a “biscuit” in Europe). The overseas influence gives this product an aesthetically pleasing appeal, as it comes in 5 sleek colors, as well as a multitude of options for baking your spritz cookies. While its price tag is higher than most, it is definitely worth the money.

This pure aluminum press is quick and easy-to-use. It comes with 20 different metal (aluminum) templates for creating your own designer cookies, and also features a knob to adjust cookie size (large or small). The plunger/ handle unscrews from the tube for easy cleaning, which makes kitchen life much easier. It also comes with a 10-year warranty, giving you peace of mind for years to come.

The only issue is that perhaps it could be a bit longer. If you want to make a decent amount of cookies, you may need to refill this press a couple of times. The manufacturer boasts 35 to 40 small cookies and 20-25 large cookies per fill.

Cuisinart CCP-10PK Electric Cookie Press

Cuisinart CCP-10 Electric Cookie Press with 12 Discs and 8 Decorating Tips, White

View on Amazon

If you’re not crazy about the idea of manually operating a cookie press (it can be difficult sometimes with tough dough), there are electric options available to you as well, like the Cuisinart CCP-10 Electric Cookie Press.

Cookies come out ready to bake in just minutes with this machine. It has a one-touch operation system and an ergonomic handle, making handling easy and pain-free. Since it is an electric operation, cookies come out perfectly portioned and smoothly in line every time. The plastic tube of this cookie press is see-through as well, so you can tell when you need to add more dough.

Your purchase of the Cuisinart Cookie Press comes with a wide variety of spritz cookie recipes, as well as 12 stainless steel cookie discs that will last for years to come. Designs include mainly seasonal patterns, though. You also get 8 stainless steel decorating tips for icing, which can also be used to decorate other desserts and pastries, or even for filling up pasta shells, deviled eggs, and more!

The main downside of this pick is, ironically, what makes it appealing. Because it relies on electricity to work, it can be a little glitchy according to reviewers. Some have even said it overheated and completely ruined their cookies too. But if you’re willing to take a risk, this could make your baking life a whole lot easier during the holidays.

HuiJia Stainless Steel Biscuit Press Cookie Gun

HuiJia Stainless Steel Biscuit Press Cookie Gun Set with 13 Discs and 8 Icing Tips

View on Amazon

Looking for durability in your cookie press? HuiJia’s cookie “gun” is a great long-term investment. It isn’t marketed as a cookie press because the handle has the cookie dispensing mechanism working sideways instead of downward, which can be a big advantage for you if you have trouble getting leverage on some of the other choices above. The Stainless Steel Biscuit Press Cookie Gun from HuiJia is an awesome accessory for any kitchen, and here’s why.

This cookie press has a sleek and modern design, with the body made out of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and ABS plastic. All materials used here are FDA approved to be food grade. While it’s convenient to have a see-through plastic tube to know when to refill your dough, this design ensures durability and performance for many years.

Its other advantage is that it comes with 13 aluminum discs for shaping your cookies. These are just as durable as the machine itself, as they are also made out of aluminum. You also get 8 icing tips, a few recipes, and even a storage box to keep everything nice and organized while you’re not making spritz cookies. This option is an awesome alternative to the products listed above for its durability and its unique approach to the handle.

Edge Cook Spritz Cookie Press Gun Kit

Edge Cook Spritz-Cookie-Press-Gun-Kit 20 Disc with 8 Icing Tips: Sturdy-Stainless-Steel - Works Even with Arthritis - Ideal for Holidays-Baking-Biscuit, Cake, Churro, Cookie Maker

View on Amazon

This cookie press gun has 20 stainless steel disc shapes and a cookie maker set that has 8 icing tips, perfect for decorating your cookies and cakes.

It also has a high-grade metal biscuit spritzer and seasonal discs. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel, which ensures that it is durable and long lasting. You never have to worry about the discs or the cookie press breaking.

This cookie press doesn’t require a piping bag because you can use its icing tips to help you shape your creations.

Tips for Making Spritz Cookies

Spritz cookies can definitely be finicky, even though they’re relatively simple. The batter only consists of butter, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla, and flour. However, if you just throw all of these ingredients into a mixer and hope for the best, you could end up with a dough that is far too thick for a standard cookie press to handle.

The Batter

The trick to avoiding this is to mix the ingredients separately and thoroughly. Seasoned bakers recommend creaming the butter and sugar together first to set the base as the buttery flavor while avoiding any greasiness you might encounter by mixing everything together at once.

Next, add the egg to this mixture and mix for around 10 minutes (yes, 10) to create the light, fluffy batter that you crave from these cookies. After this consistency is achieved, add the flour last and hand mix it into the batter. If you beat it in with a stand mixer, you could create density and thickness in the batter. Gently folding the flour in will avoid that issue, as long as you stop mixing as soon as all the dry flour is integrated.

If you want to really personalize your spritz cookies to the occasion or season you’re baking them for, add a splash of an extract of your choosing. For example, make a beautiful batch of maple-flavored spritz cookies shaped like leaves for Thanksgiving.

The Baking

After you have the perfect batter, the next element of baking the perfect spritz cookies involves the baking preparation itself. One of the top tips for spritz cookies is a freezing cold baking sheet. Prep your baking sheets in the freezer for at least a half hour before pressing the cookies onto it.

Also, make sure that there is no grease on the sheets – that means no extra butter, non-stick baking spray, silicone materials, or even parchment paper lining. This is because all non-stick materials could contribute to spreading, which could ruin the shape of your pressed cookies. It also allows the dough that comes out of your presser to stick to the sheet instead of the discs. Cold, aluminum baking sheets are the best option for successfully prepping your spritz cookies for baking.

The dough itself, however, should be about room temperature so that it properly molds to the press designs. If you’re decorating with sprinkles, make sure to put those on BEFORE they go in the oven, as they won’t stick once the cookies are baked through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I use a cookie press when I can make cookies the traditional way?

It’s true that you can make cookies the traditional way by shaping cookie batter into small balls and then baking. A cookie press is a small appliance that I would recommend you buy because cookie made the traditional way often times look unattractive and unprofessional.

When you use a cookie press, you will be able to make creative, fancy cookies.

I’m interested in making spritz cookies but I don’t know how to use a cookie press. Do you have any tips?

All you need is the right cookie dough. Shape it into that are thin and long enough to fit into the cookie press barrel. Unlock the ring at the end of the barrel and put the cookie dough in, leaving a small space at the end so you can press the dough out.

Place a patterned ring onto the end and close the cookie press barrel to eliminate any air that may be inside. Get a clean baking sheet and press out the dough, making as many spritz cookies as you want. Turn on your oven and start baking.

I intend to use a cookie press. Do I need to prepare my cookie dough a different way?

Yes. First, find an appropriate recipe and make sure you have the necessary ingredients. If you plan on using chocolate chips or nuts, make sure the pieces are small enough. This will allow them to come out of the cookie press without ruining your cookie’s shape or pattern. When making the cookie dough, prepare logs that are thin and long enough to fit into the cookie press barrel. The best cookie dough that I would advise you to make or buy is spritz dough or the sugar cookie dough. Also, make sure you leave the cookie dough in a refrigerator overnight.

Can I use a cookie press to make other types of cookies other than spritz?

It’s possible, but it will depend on the kinds of ingredients you have at home. A cookie press can also be used to make cheese straws. You can always experiment with your press!

I tried using a cookie press on a particular cookie recipe and I nearly broke it. What are the best cookie recipes for using a cookie press?

To avoid a situation where you are forced to manually scoop cookie dough out of the press, prepare the lightest dough possible and if you are using nuts or chocolate chips, make sure they are very small. The following cookie recipes work best: Raspberry Rosette Spritz, Rosemary Cheese Spritz, Glazed Spritz Cookie, Vanilla Malted Cookies, and Peppermint Bark Spritz.

Between a twist and a trigger cookie press, which should I buy and how do you clean them

A twist cookie press provides more control when pumping out cookie dough compared with a trigger one. As for washing, don’t put them in the dishwasher as the cookie press won’t be cleaned thoroughly. Handwash them instead to get all the remaining dough out.

Portion out the fun!

A perfect end result!
A perfect end result!

If you are a baking aficionado, you’ll definitely want to add a cookie press to your arsenal of cooking supplies! Don’t get overwhelmed by the many options, just stick to this list. You’ll be spritzing out perfect cookies to share with your family and friends during the holidays.

For roll-out cookies, read this article on my favorite rolling pin for cookie dough. And if you love making fudge, we’ve got the best pots for the job.

Are you sending cookies to a loved one in the mail? Learn all about how to pack cookies for shipping.