Christmas Tree Cookies: The Only Holiday Cookie That Matters
by Jessica | November 30, 2025 6:35 am
Contents
You know how every year you promise yourself you’ll make those perfect, Pinterest-worthy holiday cookies? Yeah, me neither.
But these? These Christmas[1] Tree Cookies are different. They’re easy. They’re fun. And they look cute even when you mess up the frosting, which I always do.
My first attempt at holiday cookies was a disaster. I was maybe 12, trying to make those fancy stained-glass window ones. I used the wrong candy. It melted all over the pan. My mom had to soak the cookie sheet for two days. I just remember her sighing and telling me to go scroll Instagram (before Instagram existed, lol, so maybe just read a book).
Anyway, these are my redemption. My grandma used to make them. She’d let us use way too much green food coloring. They were always a little too crunchy, but they tasted like Christmas. Now I make them every year. Last year, I totally forgot to chill the dough, and they spread out into these weird, amorphous blobs. Still tasted great, though. Mine aren’t perfect, but they’re mine.
Trust me. This is the one.
Why This Recipe[2] Just Works
it’s a simple sugar cookie base
you can use any cookie cutter – but the tree is best
the frosting is just powdered sugar and milk – super easy
gets messy – especially with the sprinkles
it’s a fun activity – put on some bad holiday music
What You Need (The Goods)
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Ingredient
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Casual Note
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For the Cookies
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
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Don’t forget to take it out of the fridge.
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maybe 1 cup granulated sugar
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Just regular white sugar.
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1 large egg
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Binds it all together.
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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The good stuff.
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maybe 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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Don’t pack it too tight.
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1/2 tsp baking powder
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Helps them puff a little.
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1/4 tsp salt
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Just a pinch.
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For the Icing
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maybe 2 cups powdered sugar
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Sift it if you’re feeling fancy.
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3-4 tbsp milk
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Start with less, you can always add more.
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Green food coloring
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Gel works best for that deep green.
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Sprinkles
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The more the better.
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Let’s Make It (Step-by-Step)
Okay, so this is the fun part.
First, cream the butter and sugar. In a big bowl. Beat it until it looks light and fluffy. About 3 minutes.
Then, add the wet stuff. Beat in the egg. And the vanilla. Scrape down the sides, don’t miss anything.
Mix the dry stuff. Flour, baking powder, salt. Whisk that together in a separate bowl.
Combine. Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mix. Mix until just combined. Stop right there. Don’t overmix.
Chill. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap. Stick it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This is important. Seriously.
Roll it out. Preheat your oven to 350°F (about 175°C). Flour your counter. Roll the dough out to maybe 1/4 inch thick.
Cut. Use your Christmas tree cutter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake. Bake for about 8-10 minutes. Until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t overbake!
Cool. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes. Then move them to a wire rack.
Make the icing. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk together. Add the green food coloring until it looks like a Christmas tree
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Decorate. Spread the icing on the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles. Let them dry. I usually use this time to scroll Instagram and watch TikToks.
Tips & Variations
•Make it minty: Add 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract to the cookie dough. Tastes like a candy cane.
•No tree cutter? Use a star or a circle. They’re still festive.
•Royal Icing: If you want them to look really perfect, use royal icing. But honestly, who has the time?
•Add zest: Grate the zest of one lemon into the dough. It adds a nice brightness.
Storage
Leftovers are the best part. Seriously. They keep in an airtight container for about a week. You can also freeze the baked, undecorated cookies for up to a month. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before you wrap them up. I always forget to label the freezer bags, so I have to play “mystery dinner” later, but you should probably label yours.
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Component
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Amount
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Servings
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24
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Calories
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150-180
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Protein
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2g
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Fat
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8g
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Carbs
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20g
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FAQs (Stuff My Friends Ask Me)
Q: Why did my cookies spread? A: You probably didn’t chill the dough long enough. Or your butter was too soft. Next time, chill for longer.
Q: Can I use margarine? A: Ugh, I guess. But butter tastes way better. Don’t do it.
Q: My icing is too runny. Help! A: Add more powdered sugar. Like, a lot more. Just a spoonful at a time until it thickens up.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time? A: Yes! You can keep the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze it for a month. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before you roll it out.
Endnotes:
- Christmas: https://rnyrecipes.com/category/christmas/
- Recipe: https://ladysuniverse.com/category/christmas/
Source URL: https://ladysuniverse.com/christmas-tree-cookies/