There’s just something magical about baking Christmas tree cookies with royal icing that fills the kitchen with warmth and joy! These delightful cookies are not only a festive treat but also a wonderful way to bring family and friends together during the holiday season. Imagine the smiles on everyone’s faces as they decorate their very own edible Christmas trees! The crisp, buttery cookies paired with sweet, colorful icing make for a perfect addition to any holiday gathering. Trust me, once you start baking these adorable treats, you won’t be able to stop at just one. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and your holiday celebrations will be all the sweeter for it!

Ingredients List

Before we dive into the fun of baking, let’s gather everything we need for our Christmas tree cookies! Having all your ingredients ready makes the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of our delicious cookies, providing the perfect structure.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure your butter is at room temperature; it helps create a light and fluffy texture when creamed with sugar.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: This sweetener gives our cookies that delightful sweetness and helps them spread perfectly.
• 1 large egg: This binds everything together while adding richness to the dough.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: It adds a warm, fragrant flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery cookies.
• 1/2 tsp baking powder: This leavening agent helps our cookies rise slightly, making them nice and soft.
• 1/2 tsp salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
• 2 cups powdered sugar: Essential for our royal icing, giving it that smooth, sweet finish.
• 2 egg whites: These will be whipped into the royal icing for that classic glossy texture.
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar: It stabilizes the egg whites, ensuring our icing holds its shape.
• Food coloring (green, red): Because what’s a Christmas tree without some festive colors? Feel free to use your favorite shades!

Now that we have everything ready, let’s get started on the fun part—baking these delicious Christmas tree cookies!

How to Prepare Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer because we’re about to dive into the fun of making these festive Christmas tree cookies! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of delicious cookies all ready to be decorated with royal icing.

Step 1: Preheat and Cream

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). It’s important to have that oven nice and toasty when your cookies are ready to go in! While that warms up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together your softened butter and granulated sugar. I usually do this for about 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial for getting that lovely texture!

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

Next up, add in your egg and vanilla extract, and mix until it’s all well combined. Now, in a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix! You want a soft dough that holds together beautifully.

Step 3: Shape and Bake

Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. This thickness helps ensure that your cookies maintain their shape while baking. Now, cut out those adorable tree shapes with your cookie cutters! Place them on a lined baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating—this is super important, trust me!

Step 4: Make Royal Icing

Now for the magic part—royal icing! In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar while continuing to whisk until you achieve stiff peaks. This means that when you lift the whisk out, the icing holds its shape! Divide the icing into bowls and add your food coloring. Be creative, but remember to keep it festive!

Step 5: Decorate

Finally, it’s time to decorate! Using a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off), pipe your royal icing onto the cooled cookies. Let your imagination run wild with designs—think colorful ornaments, glittering stars, and even sweet little candy canes! The best part about decorating is that there are no rules; just have fun with it!

Tips for Success

• Chill the dough: If your dough feels too soft to handle, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
• Use a ruler: For perfectly even cookies, you can roll out your dough between two sheets of parchment paper. This prevents sticking and gives you an even thickness!
• Watch the baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. Every oven is different, and you don’t want them to overbake. Look for those lovely golden edges!
• Let icing dry: After decorating, let your royal icing dry completely before stacking the cookies or storing them. This can take a few hours, but it’s worth the wait for that perfect finish!
• Experiment with flavors: Feel free to add a dash of almond or peppermint extract to the dough for a festive twist. It adds a lovely surprise flavor that everyone will love!

Nutritional Information Disclaimer

Just a quick note: the nutritional information for these Christmas tree cookies is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. I always recommend checking the labels of your ingredients if you’re tracking calories or specific dietary needs. Remember, the joy of baking comes from sharing these delicious treats, so don’t stress too much about the numbers—just enjoy every festive bite!

FAQ Section

Can I use store-bought royal icing for decorating?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time or just want to simplify things, store-bought royal icing works perfectly for decorating your Christmas tree cookies. Just make sure to choose one that’s ready to use and has a good consistency for piping.

How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much while baking?
To keep your cookies from spreading, make sure your butter is softened, not melted. Also, chill your dough before rolling it out and cutting shapes. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it out.

What’s the best way to store decorated Christmas tree cookies?
Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’ve used royal icing, let the icing dry completely first to avoid smudging. They should stay fresh for about a week—if they last that long!

Can I freeze the cookies after decorating?
Yes, you can freeze decorated cookies! Just make sure they’re completely dry and store them in a single layer in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature. Perfect for saving some festive treats for later!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: These Christmas tree cookies come together in no time, making them perfect for busy holiday schedules.
• Fun Decorating: The royal icing allows for endless creativity—everyone can join in the fun of decorating their own cookie masterpieces!
• Deliciously Flavorful: With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of vanilla, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone.
• Perfect for Gifting: Package them up in festive boxes or tins for delightful homemade gifts that friends and family will appreciate.
• Festive Tradition: Baking these cookies can become a cherished holiday tradition, bringing loved ones together year after year.
• Customizable: Change up the colors and designs each year to keep things fresh and exciting—no two batches need to be the same!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Once you’ve whipped up these delightful Christmas tree cookies, you’ll want to make sure they stay fresh and delicious! The best way to store them is in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them soft and prevents any moisture from making them soggy. If you’ve used royal icing, let the icing dry completely before stacking them to avoid any smudging. If stored properly, your cookies will stay fresh for about a week—though I doubt they’ll last that long!

If you find yourself with leftover cookies (which is rare, I know!), you can freeze them for later enjoyment. Just make sure they are completely cooled and the icing has set. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to treat yourself, simply take them out and let them thaw at room temperature. There’s no need to reheat them; they taste amazing at room temperature, just like fresh from the oven!

Christmas Tree Cookies Royal Icing: 5 Steps to Festive Joy

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• Author: Julia marin
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delicious Christmas tree cookies decorated with royal icing.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• Food coloring (green, red)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
6. Roll out dough and cut into tree shapes.
7. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
8. Cool cookies completely before decorating.
9. For royal icing, whisk egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
11. Divide icing and add food coloring as desired.
12. Decorate cooled cookies with icing.

Notes

• Store cookies in an airtight container.
• Use a piping bag for detailed icing.
• Make sure cookies are completely cool before icing.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: christmas tree cookies, royal icing, holiday cookies