Christmas Tree Cookies
These Christmas Tree Cookies are a festive Christmas treat recipe. It’s a great Christmas baking idea to bake this holiday season. Made with simple sugar cookie dough, turn into pretty striped rounds with a little green Christmas tree right in the center.
WANT TO SAVE THIS FOR LATER?
We'll email it to you - along with our free printable party planner!
These cookies make a thoughtful homemade gift. Wrap a few in a clear bag with a ribbon, and you’ve got a simple and sweet way to spread holiday cheer. They’re also great for a cookie exchange, a Christmas party, or just an afternoon treat with hot cocoa.
You may also want to try my Jolly Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies and Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cookies
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start by whisking together the flour and salt in a medium bowl.
2. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this is where the magic begins! Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, and then gradually add the dry ingredients until a lovely dough forms.
3. Now, divide the dough into three equal parts. Keep one part plain for the white dough, and color the second part red and the third part green using your gel food coloring. Knead the dough until the colors are vibrant and evenly distributed. Once that’s done, wrap each colored dough in plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the white and red dough separately to about 1/4 inch thickness.
5. Cut each into long, even strips, then alternate layering the red and white strips to create a candy cane stripe effect. Gently press them together to seal. Roll this layered dough slightly to smooth out the stripes and even the surface.
6. Using a round cookie cutter, cut circles from the striped dough, and then use a smaller Christmas tree-shaped cutter to cut out the center of each striped cookie.
7. Roll out the green dough and cut out small trees using a mini Christmas tree cutter. Place a green Christmas tree cutout in the center of each round striped cookie, filling the space beautifully.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies on the prepared sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Serve and Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- Make sure to chill the dough. Cold dough is easier to roll, cut, and keeps the shapes from spreading too much while baking.
- Use gel food coloring because it gives brighter colors without making the dough too soft.
- When layering the red and white dough, try to cut the strips the same size. This helps the candy cane stripes look neat and even.
- You’ll need both a round cutter and a small Christmas tree cutter. If you don’t have them, you can improvise with other holiday shapes.
- Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Christmas Tree Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Red and green gel food coloring
Instructions
- Start by whisking together the flour and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this is where the magic begins! Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, and then gradually add the dry ingredients until a lovely dough forms.
- Now, divide the dough into three equal parts. Keep one part plain for the white dough, and color the second part red and the third part green using your gel food coloring. Knead the dough until the colors are vibrant and evenly distributed. Once that’s done, wrap each colored dough in plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.
- Roll out the white and red dough separately to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut each into long, even strips, then alternate layering the red and white strips to create a candy cane stripe effect. Gently press them together to seal. Roll this layered dough slightly to smooth out the stripes and even the surface.
- Using a round cookie cutter, cut circles from the striped dough, and then use a smaller Christmas tree-shaped cutter to cut out the center of each striped cookie.
- Roll out the green dough and cut out small trees using a mini Christmas tree cutter. Place a green Christmas tree cutout in the center of each round striped cookie, filling the space beautifully.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies on the prepared sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, let them cool completely on a wire rack.
