Magical Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Magical Christmas tree cookies bring sparkly wonder to your holiday table.

Sweet memories dance through every delicate, green-frosted bite.

Festive baking creates moments of pure childhood joy.

Each carefully crafted cookie tells a story of celebration and love.

Young and old gather around, eager to decorate these whimsical treats.

Sprinkles and icing transform simple sugar cookies into miniature edible forests.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of these delightful seasonal delicacies.

Bake these charming cookies and watch smiles bloom across every face.

Tips to Get Perfect Christmas Tree Cookies

• Chill Dough for Precision: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp tree shapes.
• Roll Evenly for Perfect Thickness: Use rolling pin guides or spacer bands to ensure uniform 1/4-inch thickness across all cookies for consistent baking.
• Cut with Clean Edges: Dip tree-shaped cookie cutter in flour between each cut to prevent sticking and create sharp, defined Christmas tree outlines.
• Decorate with Delicate Touch: Use royal icing or colored sugar sprinkles to add festive details, letting cookies cool completely before decorating for best results.
• Store Smartly for Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper at room temperature for up to a week, maintaining their crisp texture and flavor.

How to Keep and Reheat Christmas Tree Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cooled Christmas tree cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring they remain protected from freezer burn.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain their delicate texture.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes if you prefer them slightly crisp and warm. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.

Great Matches for Christmas Tree Cookies

• Elevate with Spiced Wine Pairing: Warm mulled wine perfectly complements these delicate Christmas tree cookies, enhancing the buttery vanilla and almond notes with its rich, festive spices.
• Match with Creamy Eggnog: A classic holiday eggnog provides a smooth, velvety contrast to the crisp cookie texture, creating a delightful seasonal indulgence that screams Christmas celebration.
• Serve with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: The cool mint flavor of hot chocolate beautifully balances the sweet, rich butter cookies, adding a refreshing twist to your holiday treat experience.
• Enjoy with Sparkling Cinnamon Apple Cider: A lightly spiced, bubbly apple cider cuts through the cookie's sweetness, offering a bright and festive drinking companion that elevates the entire dessert moment.

New Spins on Christmas Tree Cookies

• Green Frosted Forest
• Chocolate Pine: Replace half the flour with cocoa powder for a rich, dark base. Pipe white royal icing to create delicate tree branch details and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.
• Festive Nutcracker: Incorporate crushed pecans or almonds into the dough for a nutty texture. Top with gold and silver edible glitter to evoke a magical holiday decorative feel.
• Spiced Holiday Version: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dry ingredients for a warm, seasonal flavor profile. Dust with powdered sugar to mimic a soft snow-covered landscape.

Answers About Christmas Tree Cookies

• What makes these Christmas Tree Cookies special?

These cookies are festive sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for holiday baking with a delightful blend of vanilla and optional almond extract that gives them a unique, aromatic flavor.

• Can I make these cookies without almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract is optional. If you don’t have it or prefer not to use it, simply skip that ingredient – the cookies will still taste delicious with just vanilla extract.

• How do I ensure my cookie dough comes out perfectly?

The key is to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes) and to mix the dry ingredients gradually. This helps create a smooth, consistent dough that’s easy to work with and bakes beautifully.

• Are these cookies good for kids to help make?

Yes! These cookies are great for family baking. Kids can help mix ingredients, and with adult supervision, they can enjoy rolling out and cutting the dough into festive Christmas tree shapes.

Fun Things About Christmas Tree Cookies

• Celebrate Holiday Cheer: These Christmas tree cookies bring festive joy with their delightful flavor and adorable tree-shaped design, perfect for spreading holiday spirit in every delicious bite.
• Effortless Baking Delight: The simple mixing method makes these cookies super easy to prepare, even for novice bakers. Whisk, beat, and mix ingredients in just a few quick steps, creating a stress-free baking experience.
• Versatile Flavor Explosion: Blending vanilla and optional almond extract creates a rich, aromatic taste that appeals to both kids and adults. The light, buttery texture melts in your mouth, making these cookies an irresistible treat for family gatherings and holiday parties.
• Quick Festive Treat: With minimal preparation time and straightforward ingredients, these cookies let you whip up a delicious holiday dessert in under 30 minutes, giving you more time to enjoy the magical Christmas season.

Christmas Tree Cookies Ingredient List

• Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie dough, all-purpose works best.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates soft, tender texture, room temperature recommended.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet aroma, pure vanilla gives best flavor.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that provides warm, nutty undertone, great for holiday baking.

Easy Method for Christmas Tree Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium-sized mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until they’re perfectly blended. The key is to create a smooth, lump-free mixture that will give your cookies a delightful texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat softened butter and sugar. Whip them together until the mixture becomes incredibly light, airy, and fluffy. This process should take about 2-3 minutes, creating a creamy base that will make your cookies melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional, but recommended for an extra festive touch)

Mix these until they’re perfectly incorporated and create a smooth, golden batter.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to your wet ingredients. Gently mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix! The goal is a soft, pliable cookie dough that’s ready to be transformed into adorable Christmas tree shapes.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and develops a richer flavor.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Cookies

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough. Use Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutters to create festive cookie shapes that will bring holiday cheer to your kitchen.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven and bake the cookies until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely before decorating with festive icing, sprinkles, or powdered sugar.

Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas tree cookies sparkle with holiday cheer, bringing sweet memories of family gatherings. Green-tinted sugar cookies decorated with sprinkles and chocolate drizzle invite seasonal joy for cookie enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decorating Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 large egg whites or 3 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green gel food coloring
• Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, or nonpareils
• Star-shaped candies or sprinkles for tree toppers

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Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a spacious bowl, using an electric mixer to achieve a cloud-like, airy texture that appears pale and voluminous.
3. Introduce egg and aromatic extracts (vanilla and almond) to the butter mixture, blending until smooth and integrated.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet components, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Wrap the freshly prepared dough in plastic film and refrigerate for optimal consistency, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
6. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and prepare a clean work surface with a light dusting of flour for rolling.
7. Roll out the chilled dough to an even thickness, using a festive Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to create precise holiday-themed shapes.
8. Transfer delicate cookie cutouts to a lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly to ensure uniform baking and prevent potential spreading.
9. Bake in a preheated oven until edges turn a delicate golden hue, signaling perfect doneness and crisp texture.
10. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating or serving, preserving their intricate shape and delightful flavor.

Notes

• Precision matters when measuring flour; use the spoon and level method to avoid dense cookies.
• Softened butter at room temperature ensures smooth, even mixing and helps create a lighter texture.
• Consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain the tree-shaped cutout’s crisp edges.
• For a festive twist, experiment with different extracts like peppermint or orange to add unique holiday flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 164
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 54 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg