Christmas Tree Cookies: A Festive Holiday Baking Tradition
Soft, buttery sugar cookies decorated like festive Christmas trees with green icing and colorful ornaments.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
For the icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
4–5 tablespoons warm water
Green gel food coloring
Assorted sprinkles or mini candy ornaments
Yellow candy stars for toppers
Instructions
1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion, and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into Christmas tree shapes.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just set; cool completely.
9. Prepare royal icing by mixing powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water until smooth.
10. Tint icing green and adjust consistency for outlining and flooding.
11. Pipe outlines, flood the cookies with green icing, and add sprinkles or mini candies as ornaments.
12. Place a yellow candy star on top of each tree.
13. Allow icing to fully dry before storing or stacking.
Notes
For extra detail, add white icing to mimic garlands.
Chill shaped cookies before baking for crisp edges.
Use a squeeze bottle or piping bag for precise icing work.