Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies: A Festive Treat for the Holidays
Christmas tree sugar cookies are the perfect holiday treat, combining the joy of the season with the delightful sweetness of a classic sugar cookie. These cookies are not only fun to decorate but also make great gifts or party favors. Whether you’re baking with family or surprising your friends with a homemade gift, these festive cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer. In this article, we’ll go over the basic recipe, advanced decorating techniques, storage tips, and dietary adaptations to make your Christmas tree sugar cookies a holiday hit!
For more cookie decorating ideas and tips, check out Holiday Cookie Decorating Tips and Best Sugar Cookie Recipes.
Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions for Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For these delicious Christmas tree sugar cookies, you’ll need the following:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional for extra flavor)
- Green food coloring (for the tree color)
- Royal icing (for decoration)
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugars (optional for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve the desired shade of green for your Christmas tree cookies.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated. The dough will be thick, which is perfect for rolling out.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, use royal icing to decorate the cookies. You can pipe a star at the top of each tree, add garlands, or sprinkle edible glitter for extra holiday sparkle.
Advanced Techniques for Decorating Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Royal Icing vs. Buttercream Icing
While buttercream icing is delicious, royal icing provides a firmer texture that makes it easier to decorate cookies with fine details. Royal icing hardens as it dries, which helps your designs stay intact, especially if you’re stacking the cookies as gifts. You can make royal icing by mixing powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder), and water.
Adding Texture and Dimension
To make your Christmas tree sugar cookies even more festive, try adding texture to your icing. Use a piping bag with different tips to create intricate designs like swirls, dots, or garlands. You can also add dimension by layering different colors of icing for a multi-tone look, or sprinkle some edible glitter over the wet icing to make the cookies sparkle.
Use of Sprinkles and Candies
Decorating with sprinkles is a great way to add color and fun to your cookies. Tiny round sprinkles can act as ornaments, and larger decorative candies like mini M&Ms or chocolate chips can be used for more dramatic embellishments. For an added holiday touch, consider using candy canes broken into small pieces to create a festive border around the edge of the tree.
See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips for Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
How to Store Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Once your Christmas tree sugar cookies are decorated and completely dry, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To prevent them from getting too soft or stale, add a slice of bread to the container—this will help keep the cookies fresh for longer.
Freezing Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
If you want to make the cookies ahead of time, you can freeze them before or after decorating:
- Before Decorating: Freeze the baked, undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for a few hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to decorate, thaw at room temperature.
- After Decorating: Once decorated and completely dry, place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving.
Maintaining the Freshness of Your Cookies
If you want to maintain the crispness of your cookies, ensure they are stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If the cookies begin to soften, you can place them in the fridge for a short time to help them regain some of their texture, but be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving.
Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions for Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Gluten-Free Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
To make a gluten-free version of your Christmas tree sugar cookies, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that is suitable for baking and does not contain any added gums or chemicals. You may need to adjust the amount of flour depending on the brand of gluten-free flour used.
Vegan Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
For a vegan option, replace the butter with a plant-based butter substitute and use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) instead of the regular egg. Be sure to check your icing ingredients as well; some royal icing recipes use egg whites, but you can substitute them with meringue powder or use a vegan buttercream icing instead.
Low-Sugar Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
For a low-sugar version, replace the granulated sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit. Keep in mind that this may affect the texture and flavor, so you may need to experiment with the amounts to achieve the desired sweetness.
FAQs About Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Can I make Christmas tree sugar cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cookies up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to decorate them. Alternatively, you can freeze them for longer storage.
How do I get my royal icing to dry faster?
If you’re in a hurry, you can use a fan to speed up the drying process or leave the cookies in a dry, cool area. Be patient, as royal icing can take several hours to fully harden.
What can I use to decorate besides royal icing?
You can also use buttercream icing, fondant, or store-bought frosting for decorating your cookies. However, royal icing is the most popular choice for its ability to harden and hold intricate designs.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Christmas tree sugar cookies are a festive and fun way to celebrate the holiday season. Whether you’re baking them for a party, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying them with your family, these cookies are sure to bring joy and cheer to any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and creative decorating techniques, you can create beautiful cookies that everyone will love.
So, get in the holiday spirit and try baking some Christmas tree sugar cookies this year—you’ll be glad you did!