Gather ’round the oven and infuse your home with the spirit of the season with these delightful Christmas Tree Cookies. Imagine soft, buttery rounds of joy, crafted from a blend of vanilla-kissed dough with a hint of almond essence. Each cookie, like a canvas of wintertime wonder, is generously frosted in vibrant green, reminiscent of fresh snowfall on an evergreen. These sweet canvases beckon the sprinkle of festive cheer, sparkling like the holiday lights that adorn the season. Optionally adorned with a pretzel rod trunk, they transform into whimsical edible trees, spreading joy and warmth. Whether shared amidst laughter or used to bedeck your table, these cookies encapsulate the essence of homemade goodness, infusing every moment with the magic of the holidays.
Christmas Tree Cookies
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- whisk or fork
- Electric mixer (or hand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats
- cooling rack
- spatula
- Decorating Tools
- Knife or Rolling Pin
Ingredients
For Cookies
- 1 1/3 cups Unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp Baking soda
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2/.3 cup Granulated sugar
- 10 tbsp Unsalted butter softened
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp Almond extract
For Frosting:
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter softened
- 2 - 3 tsp Milk
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Christmas sprinkles
- 81 1/2 inch Broken pretzel rod pieces optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Make Cookie Dough:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until a cookie dough forms.
Bake Cookies
- Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten them slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely.
Prepare Frosting:
- In a bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Adjust the milk for desired consistency.
- Add green food coloring to achieve the desired shade of green for the frosting.
Decorate Cookies:
- Once the cookies have cooled, spread or pipe the green frosting onto the cookies.
- Decorate with Christmas sprinkles and optionally press a piece of broken pretzel rod onto the frosting to resemble a tree trunk.
Allow Frosting to Set:
- Let the frosting set for about 20-30 minutes before serving or storing the cookies.
