Christmas Tree Cookies

ByMadison Rae
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SPREAD LOVE

Why make this recipe

Christmas Tree Cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. They are not only fun to make, but they also look festive and taste delicious. These cookies can be a great project for families, where kids can join in to decorate their own trees. Plus, they make wonderful gifts or treats for holiday gatherings.

How to make Christmas Tree Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Green food coloring
  • Royal icing
  • Colored sprinkles

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
  3. Divide the dough into two portions. Add green food coloring to one portion and mix until desired color is reached.
  4. Roll out the green dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into tree shapes.
  5. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on wire racks.
  6. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing and colored sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees. Enjoy!

How to serve Christmas Tree Cookies

Serve Christmas Tree Cookies on a festive platter. They are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a sweet treat to enjoy at home. Pair them with warm milk or hot chocolate for a cozy touch.

How to store Christmas Tree Cookies

To keep your Christmas Tree Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure they are properly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.

Tips to make Christmas Tree Cookies

  • Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
  • Don’t overbake the cookies; they should be slightly soft when you take them out of the oven.
  • Use different colors of sprinkles for a fun and bright decoration.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.

Variation

If you want to add some different flavors, you can try adding peppermint extract instead of almond extract. You can also use different food coloring to create a variety of colored trees.

FAQs

Can I use a different shape instead of trees?
Yes, you can use any cookie cutter shape you like! Stars, circles, or even gingerbread men would be fun, too.

What can I use instead of royal icing?
You can use fondant or regular frosting. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the sprinkles.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.

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Christmas Tree Cookies

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Delightful holiday cookies shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for decorating and gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Green food coloring
  • Royal icing
  • Colored sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
  3. Divide the dough into two portions. Add green food coloring to one portion and mix until desired color is reached.
  4. Roll out the green dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into tree shapes.
  5. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
  6. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing and colored sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees. Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing. Let cookies cool completely before decorating.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 80mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday treats, decorated cookies

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Hi there—I’m Madison Rae, but everyone just calls me Maddy. I’m 38 years old, born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, and these days I run a small but lively kitchen tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My hands smell like garlic more often than not, and my happiest moments are when I’m elbow-deep in a pot of something simmering, rich, and a little unpredictable.

I didn’t grow up in a culinary family. My mom was a school librarian, and my dad fixed motorcycles. But there was always food around—big Sunday breakfasts, church potlucks, and neighbors dropping off casseroles “just because.” I learned early that food isn’t just nourishment—it’s connection, comfort, and sometimes, even courage. My first real foray into cooking came when I was twelve and decided to surprise my parents with shrimp and grits. The grits were lumpy, the shrimp rubbery, and I mistook cayenne for paprika, but they smiled and ate every bite. That night, something clicked—I could feed people, really feed them.

After college, I worked every job you can imagine—hostess, barista, pastry assistant, line cook—anything to stay close to the heat. I eventually studied at the Culinary Institute of America, but honestly, most of my learning happened shoulder-to-shoulder with folks who’d been cooking long before me, in diners, food trucks, and open-air barbecues. I’ve burnt things, over-salted plenty, and once accidentally lit a towel on fire during a catering gig (don’t ask). But each mistake made me better—and more humble.

These days, my cooking leans rustic with Southern roots, but I’m always pulling in new flavors. I’ve fallen in love with Korean gochujang, Moroccan preserved lemons, and the slow joy of making pasta by hand. I don’t believe in rules for the sake of rules—just respect for ingredients, patience, and a willingness to taste as you go.

I write my own recipes now, but more importantly, I try to make cooking feel doable. Whether you’ve got a pantry full of spices or just salt and pepper, there’s always something beautiful you can create. I want home cooks to know they don’t have to be perfect. Just curious. Just hungry. Just willing to try.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the culinary world. If you’re looking for hearty food, honest stories, and the occasional kitchen mishap, you’re in the right place. Let’s get cooking.

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