There’s something magical about baking Christmas tree cookies that turns my kitchen into the heart of holiday cheer. I still remember standing on a step stool next to my mom, flour dusting my nose as we pressed cookie cutters into bright green dough. Those childhood moments sparked my love for festive baking, and now I can’t imagine December without these adorable edible evergreens.
This Christmas tree cookies recipe has become our family’s edible holiday card – we package them up for neighbors, pile them on dessert trays, and (let’s be honest) sneak a few warm from the oven. What makes them special isn’t just their cute shape – it’s the perfect balance of tender bite and sturdy canvas for decorations. That first whiff of vanilla and butter when they come out of the oven? Pure December joy.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe
Oh, where do I even start? These cookies are pure holiday magic wrapped in green dough and sprinkles! Here’s why they’ve become my go-to every December:
- So simple – Even my nephew can help mix the dough (though we do end up with flour everywhere!)
- Endless decorating fun – Piping icing “garlands” and arranging sprinkle “ornaments” turns into a family art project
- That festive feeling – Nothing says Christmas like a kitchen smelling of vanilla and a counter full of edible evergreens
- Perfect for gifting – Stack them in clear bags with red ribbon and watch neighbors’ faces light up
Trust me, one bite of these buttery, slightly crisp-edged cookies and you’ll be hooked. The best part? They make memories as sweet as the cookies themselves.
Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Tree Cookies
Don’t let the simple ingredient list fool you – each one plays a special role in creating cookies that hold their shape beautifully while staying tender. After years of testing, here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon it lightly into measuring cups and level off – packing it down makes dense cookies
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – Just enough lift without puffing up the tree shapes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – My secret for balancing the sweetness
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened – Leave it out for 30 minutes – too soft and your trees will spread
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar – The perfect amount for sweet but not cloying
- 1 large egg – Room temperature blends best
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Pure, not imitation – trust me on this
- Green food coloring – Gel works better than liquid for vibrant color
- Assorted sprinkles and icing – Go wild with red hots, edible glitter, mini M&M’s
See? Nothing fancy – just good old-fashioned baking staples transformed into edible holiday magic. Now let’s make some dough!
How to Make Christmas Tree Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide
Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and make some holiday magic! I’ve baked hundreds of these cookies over the years, and I’ll walk you through each step so your tree cookies turn out perfect. Pay special attention to the dough consistency – that’s where most first-timers go wrong. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back!
Mixing the Dough
First things first – that butter better be just right! It should give slightly when pressed but still hold its shape. Throw it in your mixer with the sugar and beat for a good 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This isn’t the step to rush – proper creaming makes all the difference in texture.
Now beat in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated. Here’s my trick: add the food coloring now, before the flour. The gel kind blends evenly into the wet ingredients. Mix until you get that perfect pine tree green – I usually use about 8 drops. Gradually add your dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmix and your trees will be tough – we want tender!
Cutting and Baking
Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment to about 1/4-inch thick. Too thin and they’ll burn; too thick and they won’t crisp properly. Chill the rolled dough for 15 minutes if it’s sticky – cold dough holds shapes better. Press your tree cutter straight down without twisting – that keeps clean edges.
Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Here’s how I test: the edges should be barely golden, and the centers will look slightly underdone when you pull them out. They’ll finish cooking on the tray. Let them cool completely before decorating – warm cookies melt icing into a mess!
Decorating Your Christmas Tree Cookies
This is where the real fun begins! Use royal icing for piping – it dries hard and holds sprinkles beautifully. Pipe zigzag “garlands” first, then add sprinkles immediately before the icing sets. Pro tip: hold the cookie over a bowl when adding sprinkles to catch the excess. For “ornaments,” use tweezers to place bigger decorations precisely.
The kids love helping with this part – we make some traditional trees with red and green, and some wild “unicorn trees” with rainbow sprinkles. No wrong way to decorate, as long as you’re having fun!
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Tree Cookies
After years of perfecting these festive treats, I’ve learned all the little tricks that take them from good to “wow!” Here are my can’t-live-without secrets:
Chill that dough! If it’s sticky after mixing, wrap it in plastic and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Cold dough holds those tree shapes beautifully when cutting.
Icing consistency matters. For piping, you want it thick enough to hold a line but thin enough to flow – like toothpaste. Add milk a teaspoon at a time until it’s just right.
Storage smarts: Layer decorated cookies between parchment in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for a week (if they last that long!). Undecorated dough freezes wonderfully too – just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Christmas Tree Cookies Variations
Who says Christmas trees have to be green? Over the years, I’ve had fun playing with different versions of this recipe. Try adding 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the dough for a cool winter twist – the kids go crazy for these “North Pole” trees! For sparkle, mix colored sugar with the sprinkles before decorating. One year I even did cocoa powder trees with white icing “snow” – absolutely gorgeous!
Storing and Serving Christmas Tree Cookies
Here’s how I keep these festive treats fresh and looking their best! Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers – they’ll stay perfect for up to a week. For gifting, stack them in cellophane bags with cute tags. My favorite way to serve? Piled high on a vintage cake stand at holiday parties – they disappear faster than Santa’s cookies! If you’re feeling extra, tuck a few into mini gift boxes with tissue paper for adorable edible presents.
Christmas Tree Cookies Nutrition Information
Just so you know, these nutrition estimates are for one undecorated cookie using the exact ingredients listed. Adding icing and sprinkles will change things! Each little tree comes in at about 120 calories – but hey, it’s Christmas! Enjoy them guilt-free as part of your holiday celebrations.
FAQs About Christmas Tree Cookies
Q1. My dough is too sticky – what should I do?
Don’t panic! This happens to me sometimes too. Just wrap the dough in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. The butter firms up and makes rolling much easier. If it’s still sticky after chilling, lightly flour your rolling surface – but go easy, too much flour makes tough cookies.
Q2. Can I use natural food coloring instead of gel?
Absolutely! I’ve had great results with spinach powder for green color. Mix 1 tablespoon into the dry ingredients. The color won’t be as vibrant as gel, but it gives a lovely earthy green hue. Just know your cookies might taste slightly vegetal – kids might notice!
Q3. Why do my tree shapes spread in the oven?
Oh, I’ve been there! Usually it’s one of three things: butter was too soft when creaming, oven wasn’t hot enough, or you twisted the cutter (which weakens the edges). Next time, try chilling the cut cookies for 10 minutes before baking – works like a charm!
Q4. How can I make these cookies nut-free for school parties?
Good news – the base recipe is already nut-free! Just double-check your sprinkles and food coloring labels. Some red dyes contain allergens, so I stick with plant-based colors when baking for classrooms. The kids never notice the difference!
Q5. Can I freeze the decorated cookies?
You can, but the icing might get sticky when thawing. I prefer freezing undecorated cookies, then adding fresh icing later. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months – perfect for getting ahead on holiday baking!
5 Magical Christmas Tree Cookies That Steal the Show
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive recipe for Christmas tree cookies that are fun to bake and decorate.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Assorted sprinkles and icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until dough forms. Add green food coloring.
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into tree shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely before decorating with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Chill dough for 30 minutes if too soft.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Use royal icing for detailed decorations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: christmas tree cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies