Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

There’s something so magical about Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe that instantly brings out the holiday spirit. These cookies aren’t just your average sugar cookie—they’re soft yet sturdy enough for all the decorating fun, making them perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a cozy afternoon baking session with your family. Every bite is buttery, sweet, and just the right texture to pair beautifully with the creamy frosting on top, which you can customize with your favorite colors and sprinkles to really make them shine.

I’ve made these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe countless times over the years, and what I love most is how they bring everyone together—kids and adults alike—to get creative and festive. Plus, they’re a fantastic make-ahead treat that stays fresh for days, so you can bake early and enjoy stress-free holiday celebrations. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a newbie, this recipe is straightforward, foolproof, and guarantees smiles all around.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe was carefully chosen for balance—fluffy texture, rich flavor, and great structure. Before you start, make sure you have everything prepped and measured, especially the butter at room temperature for easy mixing.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of your cookies, spoon and level it for accuracy to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking powder: Just a touch to give the cookies a light, tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly; don’t skip it!
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temp for smooth, creamy dough—avoid melting it or your dough might get greasy.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp edge.
• Egg: Adds moisture and helps bind the dough for sturdiness.
• Pure vanilla extract: Essential for warm, classic sugar cookie flavor.
• Almond extract (optional): Just a little boosts the flavor with a delightful nutty aroma that I truly adore.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For smooth, creamy icing that holds its shape when decorating.
• Light corn syrup: Keeps your frosting shiny and smooth, plus helps it set with a slight stretch—trust me, it’s a game-changer!
• Water: Adjust for the perfect icing consistency—start with less, add more as needed.
• Gel food coloring & sprinkles (optional): To really make your Christmas tree cookies pop with color and personality.

Variations

I love how flexible the Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe can be, so I often tweak the frosting flavors or swap in alternative toppings depending on my mood or dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—baking is more fun that way!

• Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. I’ve done it with great success—just be sure to chill the dough a bit longer for easier rolling.
• Vegan version: Substitute butter with vegan margarine and egg replacer. The texture changes slightly but still delightful and perfect for plant-based diets.
• Flavor twists: I sometimes add citrus zest, like orange or lemon, to both the cookie dough and frosting for a fresh holiday vibe.
• Frosting swaps: Cream cheese frosting adds a tangy richness if you’re tired of traditional icing.
• Decorating style: Instead of classic green frosting, try white frosting with red sugar crystals for a snowy, berry-inspired look.

How to Make Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed and your cookies will bake up with the perfect texture. Keep this mixture nearby—you’ll need it soon.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they’re light and fluffy. This step is important because it controls how tender your cookies will be. I use a stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works just as well. Take your time here—5 minutes usually does the trick.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract and optional almond extract if you’re using it. The almond adds a subtle depth that I swear elevates the whole cookie. Mix until incorporated but avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until you see no more streaks of flour. The dough will be soft but not sticky—if it feels too sticky to roll out, sprinkle a little extra flour on your work surface.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Trust me on this—chilling firms up the butter, making the dough easier to roll and cut, plus it helps keep the cookie shapes crisp during baking.

Step 6: Roll, Cut, and Bake

Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to make the shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. Keep a close eye—it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake for the soft-centered texture these cookies are known for.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

While the cookies cool, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, light corn syrup, water, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust the water to get a spreadable but firm consistency. If you want bright, festive colors, mix in gel food coloring here. This frosting is shiny and sets up nicely without cracking—one of the reasons I love this recipe!

Step 8: Decorate and Enjoy

Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread or pipe the frosting on top. Then, go wild with your sprinkles, edible glitter, or little candy pearls. Decorating these cookies is half the fun, so don’t rush and enjoy the creative process!

How to Serve Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick to classic holiday sprinkles—tiny colored balls, snowflake-shaped sugar pieces, or edible glitter for some sparkle. Sometimes I add crushed peppermint for a fresh peppermint crunch that compliments the sweet frosting beautifully. These small touches make the cookies feel extra festive and fun to eat.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a warm mug of spiced hot chocolate or a creamy eggnog latte. If you’re bringing these to a party, I like pairing them with a fruit platter or some mini cheese bites to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday, I arranged a “cookie forest” on a platter—stacked different-sized Christmas tree cookies upright, using a dab of frosting as “glue.” Adding gingerbread men and star cookies gave the display a winter wonderland vibe that wowed my guests. You can also tie a bunch of decorated cookies together with a festive ribbon as edible gift bouquets—always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you’re stacking, place parchment paper between layers so the frosting doesn’t stick and ruin your beautiful designs.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both baked cookies and unfrosted dough. For cookies, flash freeze on a sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag—this stops them from sticking together. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and then add fresh frosting. Freezing dough? Roll it out between wax paper sheets, freeze flat, and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat sugar cookies because they’re best enjoyed at room temp to preserve that tender texture. But if you want a freshly baked feel, a quick 5-7 seconds in the microwave (just be super careful) softens them slightly without melting the frosting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s more than just a cookie—it’s a tradition. Baking and decorating these cookies creates memories that warm the soul and fill the kitchen with laughter. I’m confident that once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe year after year, sharing the joy and sweetness of the season with everyone you love.

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