Nothing says holiday spirit quite like rolling out dough for Christmas tree sugar cookies with loved ones. I still remember the flour-dusted chaos of my childhood kitchen – my sister sneaking bites of raw dough, my dad “accidentally” making oddly-shaped trees, and mom laughing as sprinkles went everywhere. These cookies aren’t just treats; they’re edible memories.
The magic happens when simple ingredients transform into festive edible art. That first whiff of vanilla and butter when you pull them from the oven? Pure Christmas joy. What makes these special is how they bring people together – whether you’re hosting a cookie-decorating party or sneaking a late-night baking session after the kids are in bed.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
These aren’t just cookies – they’re little edible Christmas trees that spark joy in every bite! Here’s why they’ve become my favorite holiday tradition:
Quick and Easy to Make
Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for the butter to soften – and even that’s easy if you remember to take it out an hour before baking. The dough comes together in minutes, and the simple ingredient list means you probably have everything in your pantry already.
Perfect for Holiday Celebrations
There’s something magical about watching kids (and let’s be real, adults too) turn plain green trees into glittering edible masterpieces. The decorating possibilities are endless – from simple sprinkles to intricate icing designs. I’ve seen these cookies become the centerpiece of many Christmas parties and cozy family nights alike.
Ingredients for Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients – you might already have most in your pantry! The magic happens when these basics combine into something festive:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, not packed
- 1 tsp baking soda – fresh for best rise
- 1/2 tsp baking powder – the secret to tender cookies
- 1 cup softened butter – leave it out for an hour (no shortcuts!)
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar – regular granulated works perfectly
- 1 egg – large, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – pure, not imitation
- Green food coloring – gel works better than liquid
- Assorted sprinkles and icing – go wild with colors!
Pro tip: Measure your flour correctly – scooping packed flour makes dry cookies. I use the spoon-and-level method every time!
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need fancy gadgets for these Christmas tree cookies – just basic baking tools you likely already own! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:
- Large mixing bowl – for combining all that buttery goodness
- Electric mixer – though a wooden spoon works in a pinch
- Christmas tree cookie cutter – mine’s slightly lopsided from years of use
- Rolling pin – dusted with flour to prevent sticking
- Baking sheets – lined with parchment paper
- Cooling rack – crucial for crisp bottoms
That’s it! Though I’ll admit – I sometimes “accidentally” forget to put away the sprinkles so they’re within easy reach for decorating.
How to Make Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Trust me – these Christmas tree cookies are easier than untangling holiday lights! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of festive treats ready to decorate in no time.
Preparing the Dough
First things first – preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, whisk together your dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, and baking powder – in a bowl. Don’t skip this step – it ensures everything gets evenly distributed!
Now for the fun part – cream that softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. I use my stand mixer, but a hand mixer (or even a wooden spoon and some elbow grease) works too. Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined – overmixing makes tough cookies.
Here’s where the magic happens – gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. The dough should come together nicely – not too sticky, not too dry. Now add your green food coloring a few drops at a time until you get that perfect Christmas tree shade. Gel coloring works best – it gives vibrant color without thinning the dough.
Cutting and Baking
Flour your surface lightly and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Too thin, and they’ll burn; too thick, and they won’t crisp up properly. Dip your cookie cutter in flour between cuts to prevent sticking – trust me, it makes all the difference!
Carefully transfer your tree shapes to parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about an inch between them. These cookies spread just a bit as they bake. Pop them in the oven for 8-10 minutes – you want the edges just starting to turn golden. Don’t overbake them – they’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot pan after you take them out.
Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving to a wire rack. This patience pays off – rushing this step leads to broken tree trunks!
Decorating Your Cookies
Now for the best part – decorating! Wait until cookies are completely cool before icing – warm cookies make runny decorations. I like to make simple royal icing (just powdered sugar and milk) and divide it into small bowls for different colors.
Get creative with your designs – pipe on garlands with thin icing, add star sprinkles at the tops, or go wild with colored sugars. Kids love using mini M&Ms as ornaments! Pro tip: let the base icing dry slightly before adding details to prevent colors bleeding together.
The decorating possibilities are endless – just like Christmas memories. Whether you go for simple elegance or sprinkle-covered extravagance, these edible trees always bring holiday cheer!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
After years of baking (and yes, occasional cookie disasters), I’ve learned a few tricks to make these Christmas trees shine:
- Chill the dough if it gets too sticky – just 15 minutes makes rolling so much easier
- Rotate pans halfway through baking for even browning – my oven has hot spots!
- Use gel food coloring – liquid makes dough too wet and fades during baking
- Store decorated cookies in single layers with parchment between – nobody wants smashed sprinkles
- Freeze extra dough wrapped in plastic – future-you will thank past-you on busy December nights
My biggest tip? Have fun with it – imperfect cookies taste just as sweet, especially when made with love!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Don’t stress if you’re missing an ingredient – these Christmas tree cookies are wonderfully adaptable! For gluten-free folks, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works beautifully (I’ve tested three brands with success). Natural food dyes like spinach powder create lovely muted greens, though they’ll be less vibrant than gel coloring.
Feeling adventurous? Swap half the vanilla for almond extract, or add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a spiced twist. The best part? All variations still make perfect edible Christmas trees!
Serving and Storing Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Nothing beats serving these Christmas tree cookies fresh with hot cocoa – the sprinkles still slightly crunchy, the icing just set. For storage, I use airtight containers with parchment between layers (learned that the hard way after one too many icing smudges!). They’ll stay fresh for up to a week – if they last that long!
Pro tip: Freeze undecorated cookies in ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Just thaw and decorate when you need a quick holiday treat. The dough freezes beautifully too – my freezer always has a log ready for last-minute cookie emergencies!
Nutritional Information
These Christmas tree sugar cookies are meant for celebrating, not counting calories! Keep in mind that nutrition varies based on exact ingredients and decorations used. A basic cookie without icing contains about 120 calories – but who stops at just one during the holidays?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I freeze the dough for later?
Absolutely! I always keep a few logs of this dough in my freezer for cookie emergencies. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then pop in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and roll as usual. The dough keeps beautifully for up to 3 months – though in my house, it never lasts that long!
Q2. How long do these Christmas tree cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container (with parchment between layers if decorated), they’ll stay delicious for about a week. Undecorated cookies keep even longer – up to 10 days. Though let’s be honest – they usually disappear long before then at holiday gatherings!
Q3. My cookies spread too much – what went wrong?
Oh, I’ve been there! Usually it means your butter was too soft or the dough got warm. Next time, chill the shaped cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking. Also, make sure you’re measuring flour correctly – too little flour makes spreading worse. A little practice and you’ll have perfect tree shapes!
Q4. Can kids help decorate these?
That’s the best part! These cookies are perfect for little hands. For younger kids, let them sprinkle decorations onto wet icing. Older kids can try piping simple designs. Just embrace the mess – flour on the floor and sprinkles everywhere are signs of holiday fun!
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies: 10 Irresistible Holiday Treats
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Assorted sprinkles and icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually blend in dry ingredients.
- Add green food coloring until desired shade is reached.
- Roll dough and cut into Christmas tree shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool completely before decorating.
Notes
- Dough can be chilled for easier handling.
- Use cookie cutters for uniform shapes.
- Store in airtight container for freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, sugar cookies, holiday baking, festive treats