Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

The holiday season is all about warmth, joy, and little sweet moments that bring everyone together. And nothing says Christmas quite like homemade cookies! These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are a holiday classic, combining a simple, buttery sugar cookie base with vibrant green royal icing and festive decorations. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday gatherings, or an afternoon treat with a hot mug of cocoa, they’re sure to impress and delight.

Ready to bring a little holiday magic into your kitchen? Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

• Perfect for the Season: These cookies are festive, adorable, and capture the essence of the holiday spirit with every bite.
• Fun to Decorate: This recipe gives you the chance to get creative! With green royal icing and edible decorations, your cookies can look just like little Christmas trees.
• Delicious and Buttery: These sugar cookies are soft in the middle with a delicate crisp around the edges. The vanilla flavor shines through, making them a melt-in-your-mouth treat.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough and icing can both be made ahead, making this a fun, low-stress holiday activity.

Ingredients

this Recipe

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsp meringue powder
• 5–6 tbsp water (adjust for desired icing consistency)
• Green gel food coloring
• Assorted edible decorations (small silver balls, red pearls, gold sprinkles)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rolling pin
• Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter
• Piping bags (for decorating)
• Parchment-lined baking sheets
• Wire cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Dough

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add the Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Chill and Cut

1. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
2. Roll and Cut: Once chilled, roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake the Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden.
3. Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Make the Royal Icing

1. Mix Icing Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
2. Adjust Consistency: For a thicker icing, add more powdered sugar; for a thinner consistency, add more water.
3. Color the Icing: Add a few drops of green gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant, Christmas-tree green.

Decorate the Trees

1. Pipe the Icing: Fill a piping bag with the green royal icing and pipe onto each cookie in a tree-branch pattern.
2. Add Decorations: While the icing is still wet, add edible decorations like silver balls, red pearls, and gold sprinkles to resemble tree ornaments.
3. Let Set: Allow the icing to set completely before serving or storing.

Decoration Tips

• Consistency is Key: For crisp, clean lines on your cookies, make sure the royal icing is thick enough to hold its shape.
• Add a Touch of Sparkle: For an extra-festive look, sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter on the finished cookies. It adds a magical holiday sparkle!

What to Serve with Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Pair these cookies with warm beverages like hot cocoa, peppermint mocha, or spiced cider for a cozy holiday treat. They also look lovely displayed on a dessert table with other holiday goodies like peppermint bark and chocolate truffles!

Storage Instructions

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’re planning to make them in advance, freeze undecorated cookies and decorate them when ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use regular icing instead of royal icing?

• Absolutely! If royal icing isn’t your favorite, feel free to use your go-to cookie icing. It might not hold as well but will still taste delicious.

2. How can I make the cookies softer or crispier?

• For softer cookies, bake slightly less, around 8 minutes. For a crispier texture, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping an eye on the edges.

3. How do I keep the dough from sticking when rolling it out?

• Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Chilling the dough also helps!

Wrap-Up

These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are an absolute delight to make and enjoy! With their bright, festive colors and fun decorations, they add a touch of holiday cheer to any gathering. Whether you’re baking with family, giving them as gifts, or just enjoying them yourself, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your holiday recipe collection.

Want more holiday cookie inspiration? Try our recipes for Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread Cake, and a festive Christmas Cake that’s bursting with holiday joy!

Nutritional Information (per cookie)

• Calories: ~130 kcal
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 1g
• Sugar: 10g

Happy holiday baking! Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest at @EMMARECIPES18—we’d love to see your festive cookies!

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