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Few things light up the holiday season like a platter of Christmas tree cookies glowing with green icing and twinkling with sprinkles. Baking these sweet, buttery cookies always fills the house with warmth and nostalgia. Whether you’re preparing them for a party or a cozy night in, they are the perfect way to invite a little magic and creativity into your celebrations.
I first baked these cookies with my niece who spent an entire afternoon crafting sprinkle masterpieces. Now it is a tradition we cherish every season.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: gives structure and a tender crumb choose a fresh bag for best texture
- Baking soda: ensures the cookies bake up light and crisp always check the date for freshness
- Salt: balances sweetness and brings out flavor
- Unsalted butter: delivers richness let it soften at room temperature for easier mixing
- Granulated sugar: sweetens and helps create the perfect chewy texture use classic white sugar for best results
- Egg: binds the dough and gives a little lift freshest eggs make a difference in taste
- Vanilla extract: rounds out the flavors opt for pure extract for a rich aroma
- Almond extract: adds a subtle festive note high quality extract makes a surprising impact
- Green icing: provides that classic tree color choose gel colors for brightest results
- Sprinkles: offer sparkle and color look for ones that match your holiday theme
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk flour baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl until evenly blended this little step helps distribute everything for even cookies
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- Beat softened butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer or sturdy spoon for about three minutes until fluffy and light this creamy base is key for the cookies softness
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Blend in the egg vanilla extract and almond extract until all is smooth and creamy watch as the mix becomes pale and luscious
- Combine Wet and Dry:
- Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients mixing gently and stopping as soon as no flour remains be careful not to overwork or you will lose the tenderness
- Roll and Cut Dough:
- Dust your countertop and rolling pin with flour roll dough to one quarter inch thick cut out tree shapes using your favorite cookie cutter gather scraps and reroll as needed
- Bake:
- Carefully transfer cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet bake at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit for about eight to ten minutes watch the edges they should just start to turn golden remove and cool on the sheet before moving to a wire rack
- Decorate:
- Once cookies are fully cool start icing using piping bags or a spoon create the green tree look and shower with sprinkles let icing set before serving
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I always look forward to the vibrant sprinkles they bring back memories of my childhood when my brother and I would race to finish decorating first these cookies are truly about playful togetherness
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Storage Tips
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week stack gently with parchment between layers to avoid smudging your designs. For longer keeping freeze undecorated cookies in layers separated by wax paper for up to three months.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap almond extract with extra vanilla if nut allergies are a concern. Dairy free butter and egg alternatives will work but yield slightly different textures. For a gluten free version use a cup for cup blend of gluten free flour.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange cookies on a festive platter with mugs of hot cocoa for a beautiful presentation. They also look darling wrapped in clear bags and tied with ribbons for homemade holiday gifts. For added fun let everyone at the table decorate their own cookie.
Cultural and Historical Context
Decorating holiday cookies in tree shapes is a tradition that spans generations in many cultures especially in Europe and North America. This cookie recipe draws on classic American sugar cookie roots with a touch of almond extract for festive flair. Sharing decorated cookies remains a heartfelt way to connect family and friends during the holidays.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use other shapes for these cookies?
Yes, feel free to use any festive cookie cutter shapes you like, such as stars or gingerbread figures.
- → How do I prevent dough from sticking while rolling?
Lightly flour your countertop and rolling pin, and if needed, chill the dough for about 30 minutes for easier handling.
- → What tips make the decoration process easier?
Use piping bags for neat icing work, and decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter while the icing is still wet for best results.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Absolutely! Chill the dough, wrapped tightly, for up to a week in the fridge, and let it sit briefly at room temperature before rolling out.
- → How should the cookies be stored?
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a week, or freeze for up to three months for maximum freshness.