If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that brings joy both to your kitchen and your taste buds, this Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These delightful cookies are not only charming with their evergreen shape, but also bursting with warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, perfectly balanced by bright orange zest. Each bite melts in your mouth with buttery softness, topped off by rich dark chocolate and festive sprinkles that make these cookies a joyful tradition waiting to happen. Whether you’re baking with family or gifting to friends, this recipe turns holiday baking into a celebration full of warmth and fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with these Christmas tree cookies is a breeze because the ingredients are both simple and essential, each playing a key role in delivering perfect texture, flavor, and that festive look. From the smooth, buttery cookie dough to the fragrant spices and bright decorations, every element counts.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups / 250 grams): The base that gives your cookies structure and the perfect tender crumb.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup / 115 grams, cold): Cold cubes help create that melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor without overpowering the spices.
- Fine salt (¼ teaspoon): A pinch to enhance all the sweet and spicy notes in the dough.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup + 2 tbsp / 150 grams): Provides sweetness and a smooth finish in the dough, vital for that delicate crumb.
- Ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Adds warm, cozy spice—essential for that holiday vibe.
- Ground ginger (1 teaspoon): Offers a subtle zing that pairs beautifully with cinnamon and orange zest.
- Orange zest (1 teaspoon): Bright and fragrant, this zest gives a fresh citrus lift that balances the spices.
- Large egg (1, cold and lightly beaten): Binds the dough together while keeping it soft and pliable.
- Vanilla or almond extract (1 teaspoon) or ½ lemon zest: Your choice here infuses aromatic depth and a hint of nutty sweetness.
- Dark chocolate chips (5 oz / 150 grams): Melted decorations that add richness and a touch of indulgence.
- Christmas sprinkles: The final festive touch that turns simple cookies into sparkling holiday treats.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by combining your all-purpose flour, fine salt, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger in a large bowl. This dry mix creates the flavorful base of your dough. Next, add the cold unsalted butter cubes, cutting them into the flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until it looks like coarse crumbs. This step is key to achieving a tender, flaky texture. Stir in the orange zest for that citrusy spark, then add the lightly beaten egg and your choice of vanilla, almond extract, or lemon zest. Gently mix everything together until it forms a smooth, cohesive dough—no overworking needed here!
Step 2: Chilling the Dough
Wrap your dough in plastic wrap or parchment paper and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling period is essential—it firms up the butter, making the dough easier to roll out and helps the flavors deepen. While it requires a bit of patience, this step turns your cookies from good to absolutely perfect.
Step 3: Rolling and Cutting Out the Trees
Once chilled, lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to punch out as many shapes as you can from the dough. Don’t toss your scraps—gather and reroll them to make more cookies, minimizing waste and maximizing festive fun.
Step 4: Baking the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the cut-out trees on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a little space between each, then bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just turning golden brown. Your kitchen will start smelling like a holiday wonderland at this stage!
Step 5: Decorating Your Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe
Allow the cookies to cool completely. Melt your dark chocolate chips gently — either in a microwave in short bursts or over a double boiler. Use a small spoon or piping bag to drizzle chocolate over the trees, then quickly sprinkle your Christmas sprinkles to catch onto the melted chocolate. Let them set at room temperature or in the fridge, and presto—your festive Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe is ready to brighten your holiday table.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Christmas tree cookies truly shine, a few extra touches go a long way. Consider dusting a light sprinkle of powdered sugar over the cooled cookies to mimic fresh snow, or add tiny edible silver or gold pearls for an elegant holiday sparkle. These small details make each cookie feel like a little gift on a plate.
Side Dishes
While these cookies are delightful on their own, pairing them with a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or a glass of creamy eggnog elevates the experience instantly. For parties, setting up a festive cookie and beverage station lets guests mix and match their treats, adding to the cozy holiday atmosphere.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation makes any treat extra-special, so try arranging your Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe on a rustic wooden board or a shiny holiday platter. Tie a few cookies in clear cellophane bags with ribbon for cute handmade gifts. For a playful twist, stack them into a Christmas tree shape using a bit of melted chocolate as glue, giving your table a centerpiece that’s both edible and impressive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and decorated, store your Christmas tree cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to a week, making them perfect for baking well in advance and enjoying throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
If you want to save your Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe for later, freezing is an excellent option. Freeze the unbaked cutouts on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time. Decorated cookies can also be frozen by placing parchment paper layers between to protect the toppings.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to just-baked freshness, warm them gently in an oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This softens any chocolate and refreshes the aroma without drying them out. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies tough and the decorations melt unpredictably.
FAQs
Can I substitute spices in the Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While cinnamon and ginger are classic for this recipe, you can experiment with nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom to create your own holiday spice blend. Just be careful to keep the total spice quantity balanced so the cookies don’t become overpowering.
What if I don’t have a Christmas tree cookie cutter?
No worries! You can use any festive-shaped cutter you have on hand, like stars or bells. Hand-cutting tree shapes with a knife is also a fun way to customize your batch and gives a lovely homemade charm.
Can the chocolate be replaced with something else for decorating?
Definitely. If you’re not a fan of dark chocolate, try white chocolate, colored candy melts, or royal icing. Each offers a different look and flavor but will still make your cookies festive and delicious.
Is this recipe suitable for kids to help with?
Yes! Kids will love rolling out the dough, cutting shapes, and especially decorating with chocolate and sprinkles. It’s a fun, hands-on way to get everyone involved in holiday baking fun.
How do I make sure my cookies don’t spread too much while baking?
Keep your butter cold and dough chilled well before rolling and cutting cookies. Using powdered sugar instead of granulated also helps prevent spreading. If you notice spreading, chilling the cut cookies on the baking sheet before baking can improve their shape retention.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about creating Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe from scratch, especially knowing the smiles that follow with each bite. These festive, spiced delights are easy to make, wonderful to decorate, and perfect for sharing memories with loved ones. So gather your ingredients, embrace the holiday spirit, and treat yourself to the simple joy of baking these enchanting cookies. You’ll wonder why you didn’t make them every year before!
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Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe
Delight in festive cheer with these Christmas Tree Cookies, a tender and flavorful treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring a spiced dough infused with cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest, these cookies are shaped into charming tree forms and decorated with rich dark chocolate and colorful sprinkles for a playful and delicious centerpiece on your dessert table.
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (150 grams) powdered sugar (aka icing sugar)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 large egg, cold and lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (or ½ lemon zest)
Decorations
- 5 oz (150 grams) dark chocolate chips
- Christmas sprinkles, to decorate
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, fine salt, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the orange zest.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Lightly beat the cold egg and vanilla or almond extract (or lemon zest) together, then add to the flour mixture. Stir gently until the dough starts to come together, then knead lightly in the bowl until smooth. If too dry, add a teaspoon of cold water.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, which will make it easier to roll out and cut.
- Roll and Cut: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thick. Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut shapes from the dough and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt the Chocolate: While the cookies cool, melt the dark chocolate chips gently using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Decorate: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the melted dark chocolate or use a spoon to drizzle chocolate over them. Quickly add Christmas sprinkles before the chocolate sets for vibrant decoration.
- Set and Serve: Allow the chocolate to harden completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once the chocolate is set, the cookies are ready to be enjoyed or packaged for sharing.
Notes
- Use cold butter and chilled dough to ensure the cookies hold their shape well during baking.
- If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, return it to the fridge to chill briefly.
- For a different flavor, substitute orange zest with lemon zest or add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Customize decorations with white chocolate or colored icing for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
