Cream cheese spritz cookies always remind me how simple ingredients can turn into something special with just a little patience and excitement. I love how these cookies feel soft, buttery, and festive, especially when shaped into bright green spritz cookie wreaths decorated with red candies. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make cream cheese spritz cookies that look exactly like the ones in the photos and taste even better. We’ll walk through the story behind them, why cream cheese makes such a difference, and how anyone can master this cream cheese cookie recipe at home without stress.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Different (And Easier)
You’ll notice right away that cream cheese changes everything. It makes the dough softer, easier to press, and richer in flavor. Because of that, the cookies keep their shape beautifully, which helps you create spritz cookie wreaths that look exactly like the bright green ones in the photos. Even better, this recipe uses everyday ingredients, so nothing feels overwhelming.
If you enjoy simple homemade holiday treats, you’ll love exploring more ideas like my dessert Hot Chocolate Cupcakes where comfort and creativity always go hand in hand.
Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies (Green Wreath Holiday Cookies)
Equipment
- Cookie press with wreath disk
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets (ungreased)
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Green food coloring as desired
- Red candies for decorating Red Hots, mini M&Ms, or similar
Instructions
- Beat softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Add flour gradually and mix until a smooth dough forms.
- Add green food coloring until you achieve a bright wreath color.
- Load the dough into a cookie press fitted with the wreath disk.
- Press dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing cookies slightly.
- Add red candies to each cookie to mimic holly berries.
- Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, until set but not browned.
- Let cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Nutritional Info (Per Cookie, Approx.)
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sodium: 30mg
Understanding Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
The Role of Cream Cheese in the Dough
Cream cheese plays a bigger role in cream cheese spritz cookies than most people expect. It brings a rich, smooth texture that makes every bite feel softer than a traditional butter spritz cookie. When you cream the butter and cream cheese together, the mixture traps air more easily, which gives the cookies their light, melt-in-your-mouth feel. Because of that, the dough presses beautifully and holds its shape once it hits the baking sheet.
Classic butter spritz cookies lean on the sharp flavor of pure butter. They taste delicious, yet they can bake up crisp if you’re not careful. Cream cheese, however, balances that richness with a slight tang. This balance makes cream cheese spritz cookies taste fuller and less one-note. It also helps the dough stay smooth enough to glide through the cookie press without breaking or sticking. As a result, you create cleaner designs with consistent definition, which matters when you want those detailed green wreath shapes with tiny ridges.
How Food Coloring, Disks, and Decorating Work
When you’re ready to shape your spritz cookie wreaths, the cookie press becomes your best tool. Choose the wreath disk, load the dough, and press firmly onto an ungreased baking sheet. You’ll see the design appear instantly. The dough sticks to the pan on contact, so don’t lift too quickly. Add green food coloring to the dough before pressing to match the exact shade you see in the photos.
To keep the cookies from puffing too much, chill the dough for five to ten minutes. This small step helps the wreath ridges stay sharp and defined. Then, place three red candies on each cookie to mimic the classic holly look. Press them gently so they stay put during baking.
If you want more baking inspiration, explore the recipes in my baking and dessert category like Chocolate Pecan Pie where technique and creativity always meet.
Ingredients, Tools & Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients You Need for Perfect Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
When you gather your ingredients before mixing, everything feels easier and more enjoyable. Cream cheese spritz cookies rely on simple staples, yet each one matters. Butter adds richness, cream cheese brings softness, sugar balances the texture, and the egg yolk helps the dough bind. Vanilla deepens the flavor, while flour creates structure. Green food coloring transforms the dough into its holiday-ready shade. Finally, red candies complete the wreath design.
Below is the required
| Ingredient | Substitutions |
|---|---|
| Butter | Use margarine or plant-based butter sticks |
| Cream cheese | Use Neufchâtel cheese or dairy-free cream cheese |
| Sugar | Use superfine sugar or cane sugar |
| Egg yolk | Use 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream |
| Vanilla extract | Use almond extract or maple extract |
| All-purpose flour | Use gluten-free all-purpose blend |
| Green food coloring | Use matcha powder or natural green gel color |
| Red candies | Use dried cranberries or red sprinkles |
How to Press, Color & Bake the Cookies
Once your ingredients are ready, you can move smoothly into the fun part, shaping and baking. Follow these steps for picture-perfect wreaths:
- Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla. Mix until fully combined.
- Add the flour gradually. Mix until the dough becomes soft and smooth.
- Add green food coloring until you reach the bright wreath shade you want.
- Load the dough into the cookie press fitted with the wreath disk. Press onto an ungreased baking sheet.
- Add red candies to each cookie. Place three on top to mimic holly berries.
- Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until set, but not browned.
If you enjoy cookies like these, you’ll appreciate similar treats in my cookie category at Old Fashioned Iced Ginger Molasses Cookies where every recipe focuses on flavor and simplicity.
Troubleshooting & Variations
Why Your Spritz Cookies Might Not Press Correctly
When cream cheese spritz cookies don’t press correctly, the issue usually comes down to dough consistency. If the dough feels too stiff, the cookie press struggles to push it through the disk. In that case, warm the dough slightly by letting it rest on the counter for two to three minutes. This small adjustment softens the fats enough to help the dough glide out cleanly. However, if the dough becomes too soft, you’ll see the wreath shape lose definition. When that happens, chill the dough for five to ten minutes to restore firmness.
Temperature control always makes a difference. Even a warm kitchen can soften dough faster than expected. Because of that, check your dough every few minutes as you work. You also want to make sure your cookie press and disk work smoothly. Some press models create firmer pressure than others, so attach the disk tightly and practice one or two presses on a clean baking sheet before committing to a full tray. Once everything feels aligned, you’ll see the spritz cookie wreaths form perfectly with each squeeze.
Flavor Variations & Holiday Decorating Ideas
Once you master the basic cream cheese spritz cookie recipe, you can explore fun variations. Lemon extract brightens the dough with a clean, fresh note. Almond extract adds a slightly sweet, classic bakery flavor, and peppermint gives the cookies a festive twist. Any of these options can pair beautifully with the green wreath design.
You can also switch the color entirely. For spring, try pastel pink or soft yellow. For autumn, warm orange or copper works beautifully. Because the wreath disk shapes the cookie regardless of color, you can tailor each batch to the season without changing the technique. Red candies, sprinkles, or even tiny chocolate pearls also make great decorative options.
If you love experimenting with seasonal baking, you’ll find inspiration in my holiday cookies at Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies where creative twists always come to life.
FAQs
Why are my cream cheese spritz cookies spreading?
Your cream cheese spritz cookies may spread when the dough becomes too soft. Warm butter and cream cheese can cause the shapes to lose definition in the oven. Chill the dough for a few minutes before pressing, and try using ungreased baking sheets so the dough sticks immediately. Additionally, check that you measured flour correctly because too little flour creates a loose, unstable dough. Once you correct these small details, the cookie wreaths hold their shape beautifully.
How do I keep spritz cookie dough from sticking in the press?
When spritz dough sticks in the press, it usually needs a slight consistency adjustment. Soft dough moves through the press easily, while dry dough gets trapped. Mix for a few extra seconds until the dough feels smooth, then test a single press. Also, make sure the press is clean, the disk fits tightly, and the dough sits at room temperature. These small steps always make the cookie press operate more reliably.
Do cream cheese spritz cookies need to be refrigerated?
You don’t need to refrigerate baked cream cheese spritz cookies. They stay fresh at room temperature for three to five days when stored in an airtight container. However, you should refrigerate the dough if you plan to bake later. Keeping the dough chilled helps maintain the perfect consistency and prevents the cookie shapes from softening too quickly.
Can I freeze cream cheese spritz cookies or the dough?
Yes, you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. Freeze the dough in a sealed bag for up to a month. When you’re ready, let it soften slightly before loading it into the cookie press. You can also freeze baked cookies in a container with parchment between layers. This method protects their wreath shape and keeps the flavor fresh.
Cream cheese spritz cookies bring together everything I love about homemade baking: simple ingredients, comforting flavors, and a moment of creativity in the kitchen. These bright green wreaths with sweet red candies always remind me why I started cooking in the first place. They carry the same warmth I felt years ago when I first experimented with a cookie press, and they continue to fill my Asheville kitchen with joy today. Once you try this recipe, you’ll see how easy it feels to shape, decorate, and enjoy every batch. I hope it inspires you to bake more, share more, and create your own traditions one cookie at a time.
