There’s just something magical about baking during the holidays, isn’t there? The smell of warm sugar cookies wafting through the house instantly brings back memories of cozy family gatherings and the excitement of decorating cookies with loved ones. My absolute favorite are these delightful Christmas tree sugar cookies! They’re not just delicious; they add a festive touch to any celebration. I remember the first time I made them with my kids, and we had the best time rolling out the dough and cutting out those cute little tree shapes. Trust me, the joy of watching them decorate with icing and sprinkles is a memory I’ll cherish forever. Get ready to bring some holiday cheer to your kitchen!
Ingredients for Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
- Green food coloring (for icing)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
How to Prepare Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Prepping the Dough
First things first, let’s get that dough ready! In a large mixing bowl, I start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This step is crucial because it ensures your cookies will rise beautifully. In another bowl, I cream the softened butter and white sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Next, I beat in the egg, along with the vanilla and almond extracts. The aroma is just heavenly! Gradually, I blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix; we want tender cookies here. Once the dough comes together, I wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to roll out later.
Shaping and Baking the Cookies
Once the dough has chilled, it’s time for some fun! On a floured surface, I roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Then, using a cookie cutter, I cut out those adorable tree shapes. I place the cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, giving them a little space because they’ll spread a tad while baking. I pop them into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. After baking, I let them cool on wire racks—this step is essential because you don’t want to ice warm cookies; trust me, it can get messy!
Decorating the Cookies
Now for the best part—decorating! In a bowl, I mix the powdered sugar, milk, and a few drops of green food coloring to create a thick icing. You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed. Once my cookies are completely cool, I grab a piping bag (or a simple zip-top bag with a corner snipped off) and start icing those trees. I love to let the kids go wild with sprinkles afterward; it adds a festive flair! Don’t be shy—let your creativity shine here!
Tips for Success with Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
To ensure your Christmas tree sugar cookies turn out perfectly, here are some of my go-to tips! First, when mixing the dough, make sure it’s soft but not too sticky. If it feels too tacky, sprinkle in a bit more flour until it’s just right. Remember, chilling the dough is key—this helps the cookies hold their shape while baking!
For baking, keep a close eye on them. Ovens can vary, so check for a light golden edge around the 8-minute mark. You want them to be set but still soft in the center. And when it comes to decorating, let your icing sit for a few minutes to firm up before adding sprinkles; this way, they won’t sink into the icing. Trust me, these little tricks will take your cookies from good to absolutely delightful!
Variations of Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
One of the best things about these Christmas tree sugar cookies is how versatile they can be! If you’re feeling adventurous, why not switch up the shapes? Instead of trees, try snowflakes or stars—just as festive and just as fun! You can also experiment with flavors; adding a teaspoon of orange zest or a splash of peppermint extract to the dough can give your cookies a delightful twist.
When it comes to icing, the sky’s the limit! Use different colors to create a rainbow of cookies or even mix in some edible glitter for a sparkly effect. If you want a more sophisticated look, try a royal icing technique for more detailed decorations. And don’t forget about the toppings! Crushed candy canes, colored sugar, or even chocolate chips can elevate your cookies to a new level. Trust me, these little variations will keep the holiday spirit alive and your cookie platter looking exciting!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Christmas tree sugar cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last about a week—if they last that long! If you want to save some for later, you can also freeze them. Just make sure to layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to three months in the freezer.
If you want to enjoy them warm, simply pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Oops—don’t overdo it, or they’ll get tough! A quick warm-up will have them tasting just like fresh out of the oven!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each of these delightful Christmas tree sugar cookies:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. But hey, it’s the holidays—enjoy every delicious bite of these festive treats!
FAQ About Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Can I use a different type of flour?
Absolutely! While all-purpose flour works best for these cookies, you can try using a gluten-free flour blend if you need a gluten-free option. Just make sure it has a good binding agent, like xanthan gum, to help the cookies hold together.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
Don’t worry if you’re out of almond extract! You can either leave it out or substitute it with more vanilla extract for a sweeter flavor. Or, try a splash of lemon or orange extract for a fun citrus twist!
How can I make the icing thicker or thinner?
If your icing is too thick, add a tiny bit of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, just whisk in more powdered sugar until it thickens up. Easy peasy!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. You can also freeze the dough for up to three months—just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling it out.
What’s the best way to store decorated cookies?
Once your cookies are decorated, store them in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to keep the decorations intact. They’ll stay fresh for about a week, perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies: 7 Ways to Spread Joy
- Temps Total: 40 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious Christmas tree-shaped sugar cookies decorated with icing.
Ingrédients
- 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
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Green food coloring
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out tree shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let cookies cool on wire racks.
- In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and green food coloring to make icing.
- Decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- You can use different colors for icing.
- Try adding different flavors to the dough.
- Temps De Préparation: 30 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: christmas tree sugar cookies, holiday cookies, sugar cookies
