Soft Cutout Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Recipe with Icing
Classic cut-out sugar cookies cut into trees and topped with a simple vanilla buttercream. You don't need to be a pro cookie decorated to frost these Christmas tree cookies!
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsps Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 large Egg, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1 tsp Almond Extract
For the Frosting:
- 1 1/2 sticks Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp Heavy cream or Milk
- 3-4 cups Powdered Sugar
- Green food coloring
- Sprinkles or colored sugar, optional
Instructions
For the Sugar Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper, set aside. In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add in the powdered sugar and mix for another 2-3 minutes until creamy. Add in the vanilla, almond, and egg, mixing to combine.
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low until combined. The dough should be tacky but not too sticky, if it is too sticky add an extra tablespoon or two of flour.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to about 1/4" thick. Use a Christmas Tree cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
- Transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheets and spread about 2" apart. Bake for 8-11 minutes until slightly golden brown the cookies will still be slightly soft*. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or if using a hand mixer, a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, mix to combine.
- With the mixer on low add in 1/2 a cup of powdered sugar at a time, mixing until combined each time. Continue to add powdered sugar until you have reached a desired consistency, you may not need all 4 cups.
- Mix in green food coloring until the desired shade is reached. Spread or pipe the frosting* onto the cooled cookies, decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles as desired!
Notes
*Baking time is dependent on the size/shape and thickness of cookies. If making smaller cookies reduce baking time.
*See photos above for how to frost the Christmas Tree Cookies.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 89mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 433IUVitamin C: 0.004mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg