The holidays are upon us, and I have just the treat to sprinkle some joy into your festivities! These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies come together in about 30 minutes and require minimal fuss, making them the perfect quick and easy treat for your holiday gatherings. Your family will love how adorable they look and will embrace their deliciousness! You can even switch up the decorating ingredients to suit your taste, add your favorite sprinkles, or use what you have on hand for a creative touch. Plus, these cookies are such a fun way to get the little ones involved, just like we did in my house!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s break down what you’ll need for these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. Here’s the full list:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of our cookies for a soft, sweet treat.
1 teaspoon baking powder: This will help our cookies rise just a bit!
½ teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches to balance out the sweetness.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The real star! Make sure your butter is at room temperature for a creamy dough.
1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Because cookies NEED sugar! This gives our cookies their sweetness and that lovely golden color when baked.
1 egg: This is our binding agent, helping hold everything together.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that warm, homey flavor.
½ teaspoon almond extract: A touch of almond to make these cookies sing a little goes a long way!
Royal icing for decorating: There’s nothing like a splash of color to make these beauties shine. (You can also use store-bought if you’re short on time!)
Got everything? Let’s dive into how to make these delightful cookies!
Let’s Get Cooking: How to Make Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Making these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies is as straightforward as can be. Here’s how it goes!
Mix Dry Ingredients (about 5-10 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk it all together until well combined. The idea is to aerate the flour, ensuring our cookies are light and fluffy once they’re baked.
Cream the Butter and Sugar (5-7 minutes): In a large bowl (or stand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until fluffy and creamy. You want it to look light and airy, this step adds lots of lovely texture!
Incorporate the Wet Ingredients (2 minutes): Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat it all together until smooth and cohesive. The smell here? Absolutely divine!
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients (3-5 minutes): Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. You don’t want to overmix; a couple streaks of flour are okay!
Chill the Dough (minimum of 2 hours): Divide the dough in half, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours. Chilling is key to achieving that perfect texture!
Preheat the Oven (5 minutes): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so that it’s ready to go once your dough is chilled.
Roll Out the Dough (5-10 minutes): Dust your countertop with a bit of flour, then roll out one portion of the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut out your tree shapes using a cookie cutter. You can even get the kiddos involved here for some festive fun!
Chill Again (10 minutes): Place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet and chill them for another 10 minutes. This helps the shapes hold up during baking.
Bake the Cookies (8-10 minutes): Bake your cookies for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Mmm, the smell of cookies baking is pure joy!
Cool and Decorate (15 minutes+): Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with your royal icing. Get creative with colors and designs! The best part is seeing each cookie turn into a beautiful little tree.
And there you have it delicious Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies ready to make your holiday celebrations a little sweeter!
Why I Love This Recipe
This quick and easy Christmas tree sugar cookie recipe is truly my go-to recipe for the holidays. It’s all about making memories with the kids while also indulging in some delightful comfort food! I’m a real sucker for recipes that allow for creativity, and these cookies are perfect for that. You can use whatever you’ve got on hand, whether it’s sprinkles, chocolate chips, or even nuts for added texture. The best part is that they’re not just festive, they’re super adaptable; you can change up the flavors and decorations to match any occasion.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Festive Shortbread Cookies, my Spiced Chai Crème Brûlée, or my White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels! Each of these recipes adds a little magic to your holiday baking.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe really shines when it comes to convenience, everything comes together in under 30 minutes, plus a bit of chilling time. You can whip these cookies up quickly, perfect for those last-minute holiday gatherings.
Make-Ahead Friendly
With just a bit of prep and some fridge time, these cookies are great for making ahead of time. You can bake them days in advance, leaving you free to focus on other holiday tasks.
Customizable
One of the best parts? You can truly make these cookies your own! Switch up the extracts, sprinkle options, and even shape cutters. Got a favorite candy? Toss it on top of the icing!
Crowd-Pleaser
I can’t stress enough just how much these cookies will disappear at any gathering! Whether you’re sharing with neighbors, family, or just enjoying them yourself, everyone will love these sweet little morsels.
Loaded with Flavor
I didn’t forget about the flavor! The balance of buttery, sweet, and just a hint of nutty almond creates a taste that’s sure to delight the palate.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve These Cookies
These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies make ideal festive gifts or party platter treats. Stack them high on a decorative plate, or package them up with a ribbon for those around you. Trust me, they’ll be a hit!
Storage
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 5-7 days if they last that long!
Reheating Instructions
If you do happen to have leftovers (which is rare!), you don’t need to reheat these cookies. Just enjoy them at room temperature!
Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months. Just roll it into a log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, roll out, cut, and bake as directed.
Oh! One more thing, if you want to make this process even simpler next time, you can also freeze the baked cookies without icing; just thaw and decorate when you’re ready!
So, gather your loved ones, preheat that oven, and whip up a batch of these delightful Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. Each bite is sure to bring holiday cheer straight to your home!
And remember, it’s not just about the cookies, it’s about the memories you create while baking them together. Happy baking!
With warmth, excitement, and simple joys, these cookies are bound to add sweetness to your holidays! Enjoy every moment, from mixing to munching! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Print
Quick and Easy Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 150 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for festive celebrations and family fun.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Royal icing for decorating
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; whisk until well combined.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and creamy.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture; beat until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least two hours.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll Out the Dough: Roll out one portion of dough to ¼ inch thick and cut out tree shapes.
- Chill Again: Place cut-out cookies on a baking sheet, chill for 10 minutes.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with royal icing.
Notes
These cookies are customizable; feel free to add your favorite sprinkles or decorations. They’re great for family fun!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
