Description
Sweet holiday magic comes alive with Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies, delightful festive treats perfect for spreading seasonal cheer. Crisp, buttery cookies decorated with green frosting and sparkling sprinkles invite family and friends to celebrate winter’s most joyful moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until achieving a pillowy, light texture. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, thoroughly blending the wet ingredients into a uniform mixture.
- Separately sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, kneading until a cohesive, pliable dough emerges.
- Encase the dough in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to firm up the texture. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
- Select a festive Christmas tree cookie cutter and carefully stamp out cookie shapes. Transfer delicate cutouts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring even spacing.
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the cookie sheet in the center rack and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
- Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely before decorating.
- Prepare royal icing by whisking powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency. Adjust liquid ratios for desired thickness and incorporate green food coloring.
- Using a piping bag with a fine tip, artfully apply green icing to mimic tree branches and texture. Embellish with edible decorations while icing remains wet.
- Allow decorated cookies to set undisturbed until icing hardens completely, ensuring a pristine final presentation.
Notes
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even mixing that creates a delicate cookie texture.
- Adjust royal icing consistency by adding tiny water amounts gradually to achieve perfect drizzling or piping thickness.
- Store decorated cookies in single layers between parchment paper to preserve detailed icing design and prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg