I am so excited to share my newest cookie recipe with you! If you love making spritz cookies, this EASY gluten free spritz cookie recipe is for you! Using a cookie press to make German Spritz Cookies has never been easier!

Christmas spritz cookies on a tray.

Part of our family is from Germany, and I love when I can convert some of these family recipes to gluten free. Spritz cookies are very popular in Germany and all over the world.

This recipe has been in the making for a long time. It is created from my gluten free butter cookies recipe. I love to make spritz cookies but have never posted my recipe on the blog. All you need is a spritz cookie gun and some gluten free sprinkles!!

These crisp-pressed cookies are perfect for the holidays or any time. Spritz cookies are bite-sized cookies my kids love to make. A spritz cookie press typically comes with many discs that make many shapes of cookies.

A wire rack of decorated spritz cookies.

For even more gluten free International cookie recipes, check out my Gluten Free Cookies From Around The World E-Cookbook!!

Why these cookies are so good:

  1. My gluten free Spritz cookies recipe is great because you need just a few simple ingredients.
  2. I tested these cookies with several gluten free flour blends to make sure you have success with this recipe.
  3. Because the cookies are small, they bake quickly in about 7 minutes.
  4. They are great for gift giving in a cookie tin or freeze them, so you always have pressed cookies on hand.

This recipe came out absolutely perfectly! I used Cup4Cup flour and the dough was soft like it’s wheat flour counterpart and went through my cookie press beautifully. The cookies baked flawlessly and cooled to a buttery, flaky texture. Delightful with tea or coffee! Thank you so much!”

veronica m., blog comment
A mason jar filled with gluten free flour sitting on the counter.

Flour Blends Tested:

1. King Arthur Measure for Measure—This blend works really well in muffin recipes. I don’t have to let the flour blend rest in the batter.
2. Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Blend—This blend also works well, but this flour blend does benefit from resting the batter for 15 minutes before baking the muffins. The rest allows the rice flour in this blend to soften, so you don’t have gritty muffins.

Ingredient Notes:

For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.

  • Gluten free flour blend – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  • Butter – Use unsalted butter.
  • Pure vanilla extract – I do not recommend imitation vanilla.

Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:

Check out my Favorite Cookie Baking Equipment for all of my recommendations.

The spritz cookies photos steps 1 and 2.

Step 1: Add the gluten free flour and sugar to a bowl.

I recommend using the spoon or leveling method to measure your gluten-free flour. In a perfect world, people weigh their flour, but most do not own a kitchen scale. Put the measuring scoop into the flour and fill. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour. Use a spoon to fill the measuring cup. Use a knife to level along the top to remove the extra flour.

Step 2: In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk to blend.

Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix into a cookie dough.

The spritz cookies photos steps 3 and 4.

Step 4: Your dough will be a bit softer than regular cookie dough. You want it to be slightly sticky so it sticks to the cookie sheet. Let the batter sit for 10 minutes.

📢 Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the batter. If your cake batter is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquids.
Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.

Step 5: Load the dough into your cookie press and screw on the lid with the shaping disc you want to use.

The spritz photos steps 5 and 6.

Step 6: Press the spritz cookie press to the cookie sheet and squeeze the trigger. Gently lift the press off the cookie sheet. The cookie should stick to the cutting board.

You do not want to use parchment paper for spritz cookies because you want the dough to stick.

HINT: Many sprinkles do not do well in the oven. They can melt and ruin your spritz cookies. Use sprinkles like the colored sugar shown above or ball-type sprinkles. Always check to make sure your sprinkles are gluten free.

Step 7: Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes at 350º F. Remove to a cooling rack.

Change up the flavors:

  • Add ½ teaspoon of almond extract.
  • One of my favorites is to add ½ teaspoon of orange or lemon extract. Use the sun pattern for a summery cookie!
  • Try making them minty with ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract. Dip them in chocolate and sprinkle some crushed candy canes over them.
A green holiday tin full of spritz cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between spritz and butter cookies?

Spritz cookie dough is similar to butter cookie dough, but it is a little softer, so it can be pressed through a cookie press.

Can you chill spritz dough in the refrigerator?

You can chill spritz cookie dough briefly, but it will not push through the cookie press if it is too cold. In my recipe, I do not chill the dough.

Why won’t the spritz cookies come out of the press?

If your spritz cookies will not come out of the press, your dough is either too stiff (not enough butter) or cold.

Is there a trick to using a cookie press?

The trick to using a cookie press is to make sure your dough is not too cold. Room temperature is best. Press your cookie press to the cookie sheet and pull the trigger. It should fire a cookie shape onto the cookie sheet.

Why is the spritz cookie dough sticking to the cookie press?

If your spritz cookie dough sticks to the cookie press, your dough is too soft. Remove the dough, add a little flour to the dough, and try again.

Apritz cookies decorated on a rack.

Love This Recipe?

If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!

Christmas spritz cookies on a tray

Gluten Free Spritz Cookies {Lots of Flavors!}

Sandi Gaertner
Delicious gluten free spritz cookies that are really easy to make and decorate. Spritz are bite-sized cookies made with a cookie press.
5 from 17 votes
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Gluten Free Cookies and Bar Recipes, Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 87 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups gluten free flour blend * see note
  • ½ cup sugar
  • teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter melted but not too hot
  • 1 egg large
  • 3 tablespoons milk *or non-dairy milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • Add the gluten free flour, salt, and sugar to a bowl. Whisk to blend them together.
  • In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk to blend.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix into a cookie dough.
  • Your dough will be a bit softer than regular cookie dough. You want it to be slightly sticky so it sticks to the cookie sheet. Let the batter sit for 10 minutes.
  • Choose a patterned disc and assemble the cookie press.
  • Load the dough into your cookie press and screw on the lid with the shaping disc you want to use.
  • Press the spritz cookie press to the cookie sheet and squeeze the trigger. Gently lift the press off the cookie sheet. The cookie should stick to the cutting board.
  • Note: You do not want to use parchment paper for spritz cookies because you want the dough to stick.
  • HINT: Many sprinkles do not do well in the oven. They can melt and ruin your spritz cookies. Be sure to use sprinkles like the colored sugar shown above or ball-type sprinkles. Always check to make sure your sprinkles are gluten free.
  • Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes at 350º F. Remove to a cooling rack.

Notes

  1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
  2. Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  3. To make these cookies dairy-free, use vegan butter and softened palm shortening combined 50-50.
  4. I used almond milk but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work but I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
  5. These cookies will keep for up to 4 days in an air-tight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
  6. Take special care to measure correctly. If you add in too much gluten free flour or other ingredients, it can mess with the cookies as they bake. If they don’t’ have the proper ratios of ingredients, you may end up with a disaster.
Flavor and fun alternatives:
  • Swap the vanilla extract for ½ teaspoon of these: peppermint extract, almond extract, orange or lemon extract, or rose water.
  • Dip the spritz cookies in dark or white chocolate and decorate them.
  • Add sprinkles to the tops of the cookies for baking. Be careful to use colored sugar sprinkles or the ball sprinkles. The other types can melt during baking.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 55mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 166IUCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe worked beautifully for me. I used Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 flour. I cooled the pan between batches. They taste wonderful. They are quite small so I have more than a few dozen. Thank you for this great recipe. I get to experience Christmas tree cookies like Mom used to make…and I can eat them safely.

  2. I’ve never made cookie press cookies before, so I’m a newbie, but I don’t think I will ever do it again lol it was super frustrating, I’m sure user error played a part. The first issue I had was that the dough was for some reason way too thick for my cookie press, I used the recommended flour and measured the correct way so I’m not sure why, so I added extra milk to it so it was thinner and then it was working in my press, but I could only get a few of the designs to work, the rest of them wouldn’t stick to the pan. I wasn’t using parchment paper but it was a seasoned stone pan so maybe it was too non stick? And then once they were warm from baking the cookies none of the designs would stick anymore… I only have two pans so I have to use them for multiple batches so they were still slightly warm… it did not go well, I was super frustrated.

    1. Hi Sara, I am not sure how you measured the flour. I am glad you used a blend I tested. I would suggest spooning flour into the measuring cup and then scraping the excess off with a flat knife, and not packing the flour in it. You did the right thing to adjust your moisture levels adding more milk. Spritz cookie gun works with metal baking pans. The dough from a cookie gun will not work on parchment paper or a stone pan. The baking pan needs to be metal and cold to room temperature (not out of the oven.) I hope this helps. I will add the part about the stone pan to the post, I had never heard of a stone baking pan, only a pizza stone, so it didn’t occur to me someone would use something like this.

  3. 5 stars
    This recipe came out absolutely perfectly! I used Cup4Cup flour and the dough was soft like it’s wheat flour counterpart and went through my cookie press beautifully. The cookies baked flawlessly and cooled to a buttery, flaky texture. Delightful with tea or coffee! Thank you so much!

  4. 5 stars
    I made an eggnog version of these today (substituted eggnog for the milk & added 1 tsp nutmeg). Topped with a rum glaze. SOOOOOO GOOD!!

  5. 5 stars
    These are delicious. Made exactly as written with no problems. Came thru cookie gun perfectly. Like most gluten free cookies they taste better after complete cooling. Brava!

  6. 5 stars
    These were absurdly easy to make! Additionally, they are the softest cookies- you’d never know the GF. Definitely make this recipe if you’re looking to make some holiday spritz cookies.

    1. Hi Carol, I go back on forth on measuring flour. It is difficult because every single gluten free flour blend has a different weight. There is also no way I can go back and remake 200+ baked recipes measuring the gluten free flours I used. It would be cost and labor-prohibitive for me.