There’s something so magical about creating edible decorations during the holidays, and this Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe is just the perfect centerpiece for your holiday celebrations. It’s fun to make, looks stunning, and tastes even better—trust me, it’s worth every moment of your time in the kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m such a sucker for recipes that bring joy and creativity together, and this Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe does exactly that. It adds a charming, homemade touch to your holiday table and lets you impress guests or make fun memories with little helpers.
- Impressive yet approachable: You don’t need to be a pro baker to assemble this eye-catching cookie tree.
- Perfect holiday flavors: The warm spices evoke that classic holiday feeling in every bite.
- Customizable decoration: You can get creative with icing styles and colors to match your festive vibe.
- Double as dessert and decor: Who says your holiday decorations can't be delicious?
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe plays a special role—from the buttery base to the fragrant spices. Using quality pantry staples helps these cookies taste homemade and festive. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll want to look for:
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the salt level exactly—plus it helps your dough stay soft and flavorful.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies brown nicely in the oven.
- Egg: Acts as the binding hero to hold everything together smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth, balancing the spices beautifully.
- Ginger powder, cinnamon, ground cloves: These classic holiday spices taste like Christmas itself—warm, fragrant, and inviting.
- Salt: Enhances all those flavors to make the spices pop without overwhelming.
- Baking powder: Gives your cookies just a gentle lift so they’re tender but still hold their shape.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives your dough structure and makes rolling out simple.
- Icing sugar, egg white or meringue powder (for royal icing): These ingredients make the icing smooth, shiny, and perfect for detailed decorating.
Make It Your Way
Now, this Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe is really a blank canvas—feel free to adjust it to your liking! I love swapping out spices or adding colorful sprinkles to make it truly mine, and you’ll find your favorite tweaks as you go along.
- Variation: Once, I added a pinch of nutmeg and switched to almond extract instead of vanilla—such a cozy twist that everyone enjoyed!
- Dietary tweaks: You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends if needed, though the dough might be a bit more delicate.
- Decorating style: Play with royal icing colors or add edible glitter for an extra festive pop.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
I start by whisking the softened unsalted butter, sugar, and salt together until the mixture is creamy and light. It’s important to get this right—if you rush, your cookies might be dense. Take your time; this step sets the stage for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Step 2: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Spices
Next, I crack in the egg, mixing it fully to blend everything together. Then, in go the vanilla extract and that lovely trio of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves—these warm spices let the festive spirit shine through every bite.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Chill
Using a spatula, I fold in the flour and baking powder until no dry patches remain, then knead gently with my hands for a few seconds. Cover the dough tightly and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—that chilling step really helps with rolling out and keeping the cookie shapes crisp and clean.
Step 4: Roll, Cut, and Bake Your Cookies
Once chilled, I let the dough sit out for a few minutes if it’s super firm, then roll it to about 2-3 mm thick on a floured surface. I use my cookie cutters to cut out tree shapes in varying sizes (from about 4 cm to 13 cm)—making sure to cut extra small ones for the tip and snacking later! A thin metal spatula is great for lifting the delicate shapes to the baking tray. Bake them at 180°C / 350°F for 8-12 minutes, until just a touch golden around the edges.
Step 5: Prepare Royal Icing
I prefer the meringue powder version for convenience—just mixing icing sugar, meringue powder, and water until it’s smooth but pipeable. Checking the icing’s texture is key: I test it by making a dot on a plate; it should hold shape without spreading out. If your icing is too runny or too stiff, add a little water or more sugar slowly until you get it just right.
Step 6: Decorate and Assemble Your Tree
I pipe a neat outline around each cookie and add little dots after letting the line set for 5 minutes. Patience here really pays off! Using a toothpick, I smooth and connect lines where needed, then stack the cookies from largest to smallest with small dabs of icing in between—letting each layer dry for 30 minutes before moving the tree. If you want a snowy effect, a light dusting of icing sugar on top works beautifully.
Top Tip
Making the Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe taught me that a little patience and small details make all the difference between a pretty cookie and a showstopper. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
- Chill your dough: Don’t skip this step—chilled dough rolls neatly and holds shapes better without stretching.
- Slow and steady piping: I learned that controlling your pressure on the piping bag results in cleaner lines and less frustration.
- Let layers dry fully: This prevents colors and icing strokes from bleeding together when stacking.
- Use a thin spatula to lift cookies: It’s a game-changer that keeps your shapes intact during transfer to the tray.
How to Serve Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe
Garnishes
I usually add just a sprinkle of edible glitter and tiny star-shaped sprinkles to decorate my trees—simple but festive! If you like, add a dusting of icing sugar last-minute for that magically snowy look that guests always compliment.
Side Dishes
This cookie tree pairs beautifully with a hot cup of spiced tea or rich hot chocolate. For a full holiday snack spread, try some peppermint bark or cranberry white chocolate clusters alongside—it adds contrast and keeps the table interesting.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve wrapped the cookie tree in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon to give as a gift, and I’ve also displayed mine on a pretty wooden platter surrounded by pine sprigs and mini ornaments for a charming holiday dessert table center.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep your decorated cookies intact, avoid stacking them—and place parchment paper between layers.
Freezing
I’ve had success freezing un-iced cookie dough tightly wrapped for up to a month. When it’s time, thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out. Unfortunately, decorating and freezing the final cookie tree isn’t ideal as icing can crack.
Reheating
You honestly don’t need to reheat these cookies—they’re fantastic fresh or room temperature. But if you like a warm treat, pop individual cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to just warm through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While pre-made dough saves time, making your own dough for the Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe allows better control over flavor and spice levels, which really make these cookies special during the holidays.
Royal icing cracks often from drying too quickly or being applied too thickly. To prevent this, work in thinner layers, let each layer dry fully before adding more, and keep your workspace humid if possible—or cover the icing with a damp paper towel when not decorating.
Yes! For this Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe, you can replace the egg with flax or chia egg substitutes, and use vegan butter alternatives. For royal icing, vegan meringue powder can be used instead of egg white. The texture and flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Store your assembled Festive Cookie Christmas Tree in a cool, dry place. To keep it safe, place it in a sturdy box lined with parchment paper. Avoid refrigeration as moisture can soften the cookies and affect the icing’s finish.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe is one I keep coming back to during the holiday season. It’s not just a recipe; it’s a little tradition that fills my kitchen with the smells, sights, and tastes of Christmas. Give it a try—you’ll make memories, impress your guests, and taste pure holiday joy in every bite. I can’t wait for you to enjoy it as much as I do!
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Festive Cookie Christmas Tree Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 1 cookie christmas tree
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Cookie Christmas Tree recipe features spiced cookies baked to golden perfection and decorated with smooth royal icing. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these charming cookies can be assembled into a delightful tree centerpiece for a sweet and decorative treat.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 110 g unsalted butter soft, at room temperature
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 250 g all-purpose flour + more to dust the surface for rolling
For the royal icing (option 1)
- 1 egg white or 30g pasteurized egg white
- 200 g icing sugar
- Water as needed to adjust consistency
For the royal icing (option 2)
- 150 g icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- Water as needed to adjust consistency
Instructions
- Prepare the cookie dough: Use a whisk to beat the butter, sugar, and salt together until creamy. Add the egg and mix fully. Stir in vanilla and spices for flavor. Incorporate the flour and baking powder using a spatula, then knead lightly by hand once the spatula mixing is difficult. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll and cut the cookies: After chilling, let the dough return to room temperature if needed to prevent breaking. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 2-3 mm thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes in sizes from 13 cm to 4 cm for layering and extra cookies.
- Bake the cookies: Place cookies on a non-stick baking tray or lined sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 12 minutes or until slightly golden. Cool completely before decorating.
- Make royal icing option 1: Place egg whites in a bowl, add icing sugar through a sieve, and beat to a good consistency. Adjust by adding water or more sugar to reach a thick but pipeable texture.
- Make royal icing option 2: Combine icing sugar with meringue powder. Add water gradually until thick paste forms. Adjust consistency as needed with sugar or water to maintain pipeable texture.
- Prepare icing for decorating: Keep icing covered with wet paper to prevent drying. Adjust texture before piping. Food coloring may thin the icing; compensate accordingly.
- Decorate cookies: Fill piping bag fitted with a small nozzle with royal icing. Pipe lines and dots on cookies starting with an outline and allow drying for 5 minutes before adding dots to avoid blending. Use a toothpick for corrections.
- Assemble the tree: Allow decorated cookies to dry for 10 minutes. Stack cookies by sticking with small dollops of royal icing between layers. Let the assembled tree dry for 30 minutes before handling.
- Final touch: Dust the decorated Christmas tree lightly with icing sugar for a snowy effect if desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough ensures easier handling and better texture for rolling and cutting.
- If the dough feels too hard after refrigeration, allow it to soften slightly at room temperature before rolling.
- Using a thin metal spatula helps lift delicate cookies off the surface without breaking.
- If you do not have meringue powder, use the egg white royal icing option carefully to avoid raw egg risks—pasteurized egg whites are recommended.
- Let royal icing dry slightly between decorating steps to prevent merging of lines and dots.
- For best results, allow the assembled cookie tree to dry completely before moving to avoid breakage.
- Extra small cookies cut from leftover dough make great individual treats or decorative accents.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie christmas tree
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
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