Description
These festive Christmas Tree Cookies are a holiday favorite! Made with buttery sugar cookie dough and decorated with colorful icing, sprinkles, and candies, they bring the spirit of the season to your dessert table. Perfect for baking with kids and sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
For the Decorations:
- Green royal icing or buttercream
- Assorted sprinkles (stars, balls, etc.)
- Mini chocolate chips or candies (optional)
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
- Prep the Dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. - Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until combined. - Combine and Chill:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. - Cut Out the Shapes:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and transfer them to the baking sheets. - Bake:
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Decorate the Cookies:
- Use green icing to create the base of the tree shape.
- Add sprinkles, candies, or mini chocolate chips to mimic ornaments and stars.
- Let the icing set for at least 30 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a firmer cookie, add an extra ¼ cup of flour.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If you don’t have a tree-shaped cutter, you can cut tree shapes freehand or use a knife to create triangles.