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