Bake festive Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with this easy recipe! Soft, buttery cookies decorated with green icing and sprinkles-perfect for holiday baking, gifting, and cookie exchanges.
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Is there anything more festive than a tray of homemade Christmas tree sugar cookies? These classic holiday cookies are soft, buttery, and decorated with green royal icing and colorful sprinkles to look just like Christmas trees. Whether you're baking with kids, hosting a cookie exchange, or leaving a treat out for Santa, these cookies are guaranteed to bring holiday cheer.
I've always loved Christmas baking, and these tree-shaped cookies are a tradition in our house. They're fun to decorate, perfect for gifting, and pair beautifully with a glass of milk or hot cocoa. Plus, the simple sugar cookie base holds its shape while baking, so your trees look crisp and picture-perfect every time.
If you love holiday treats, you'll also want to check out my 25 Pretty Christmas Lantern Ideas for cozy decor inspiration and my 40 Christmas Window Box Ideas to dress up your outdoor space while you bake. And for baking tips, this King Arthur Baking sugar cookie guide is a great resource.
How to Make This Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies Recipe
Making these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies is easier than you might think! With a simple sugar cookie dough that holds its shape, a quick chill in the fridge, and a little creativity when decorating, you'll have festive cookies ready in no time. Follow the steps below to bake, cut, and decorate your cookies so they look just as magical as they taste.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For Decorating:
- Royal icing (green and white)
- Sprinkles, nonpareils, or mini candies
Instructions
- Make the dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the dough
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this prevents spreading).
- Cut and bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut shapes. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just set. Do not overbake.
- Let cool completely before decorating.
- Decorate
- Outline and flood cookies with green royal icing.
- Add sprinkles or small candies while the icing is wet.
- Let icing dry completely before stacking or storing.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Cookies
- Chill the dough: Cold dough prevents spreading and helps cookies keep their tree shape.
- Use gel food coloring: It gives the icing vibrant color without thinning it out.
- Decorating hack: Pipe the green icing, then use tweezers to place sprinkles neatly.
- Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They also freeze beautifully undecorated.
FAQ Christmas Tree Cookies
Yes! The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in the fridge. You can also freeze the baked cookies (before icing) for up to 2 months.
Royal icing is traditional since it hardens nicely, but you can also use buttercream if you prefer softer cookies.
It's optional, but it gives the cookies a delicious bakery-style flavor.
👉 For Christmas Recipes:
"Cookies aren't the only holiday treat worth making! Don't miss my collection of Christmas Recipes filled with sweets and festive dishes your whole family will love."
Final Thoughts on These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Baking and decorating Christmas tree sugar cookies is a holiday tradition that brings so much joy to the season. From rolling out the dough to adding colorful sprinkles, it's the kind of festive activity that fills the kitchen with laughter and the smell of fresh cookies. These simple yet beautiful treats are perfect for gifting, sharing at parties, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
If you're looking to create holiday memories that last, this recipe is a must-try. With a buttery base, crisp edges, and plenty of decorating fun, these cookies are as delightful to eat as they are to make. So, grab your cookie cutters, mix up some icing, and enjoy a cozy afternoon of holiday baking-you'll have a batch of festive cookies that will brighten your dessert table and make spirits merry and bright.
Until next time,
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
Make The Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill the dough
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this prevents spreading).
Cut and bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut shapes. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just set. Do not overbake. Let cool completely before decorating.
Decorate
- Outline and flood cookies with green royal icing.
- Add sprinkles or small candies while the icing is wet.
- Let icing dry completely before stacking or storing.
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