Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

If you’re dreaming of festive treats this season, you’re going to absolutely love this Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe. These cookies aren’t just adorable—they’re a delightful mix of buttery, soft cookies stacked into charming Christmas trees topped with the most luscious green buttercream and sparkling garnishes. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a holiday tradition you’ll want to bake year after year. Let’s dive in and make magic happen in your kitchen!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe are straightforward but thoughtfully chosen to give you a cookie that’s tender without being too soft, and a frosting that’s smooth and easy to pipe. Using quality butter and fresh vanilla really amps up the flavor, and confectioners’ sugar gives that perfect frosting sweetness and texture.

• Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted allows you to control the saltiness and ensures a clean buttery flavor in both cookies and frosting.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: This powdery sugar dissolves smoothly, especially for the frosting’s creaminess and the cookie dough’s delicate sweetness.
• Egg: Binds the dough for soft, rich cookies without making them cakey.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of warmth and depth that makes your cookies smell and taste irresistible.
• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that holds the cookies together with a tender crumb.
• Baking Soda: Just enough leavening to give a slight rise without puffing the cookies too much.
• Salt: Enhances the sweetness and the buttery flavors in the cookies.
• Green Food Coloring: Essential for that classic Christmas tree look in the buttercream.
• Yellow Star Sprinkles, Gold and Silver Pearls: Adds festive sparkle and cute tree toppers to make these cookies shine at any holiday gathering.

Tweak to Your Taste

This Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe is wonderful just as it is, but I love making it my own depending on the occasion or who I’m baking for. Feel free to make it your own—whether that means swapping out the vanilla for almond extract, or adding a little citrus zest for a fresh twist.

• Variation: I’ve swapped green food coloring for natural matcha powder before—it gives a lovely earthy flavor and a gentle green tint that feels very festive and less artificial.
• Dietary Modifications: If you’re looking for gluten-free, you can try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend—but keep an eye on baking times as they may vary!
• Seasonal Touches: Add red and green sprinkles alongside the gold and silver for extra holiday cheer, or try edible glitter for a sparkling effect that kids go wild for.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugar Until Dreamy

Start by softening your butter—room temperature is key here. Cream it with confectioners’ sugar until it’s pale, fluffy, and oh-so-smooth. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer. I always stop to scrape the bowl to make sure everything combines evenly. This step builds the base for tender cookies and smooth frosting, so don’t rush!

Step 2: Adding the Egg and Vanilla for Flavor and Structure

Once your butter and sugar look like a creamy cloud, crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat these in thoroughly until everything is well combined. The egg adds moisture and binds the mixture, while the vanilla gives just that lovely warmth we want during the holidays.

Step 3: Mixing in Dry Ingredients Gently

Now, sift together your flour, baking soda, and salt, then add them to the wet ingredients carefully. Mix on low speed — just until you don’t see any more pockets of flour. Overmixing here can make your cookies tough, something I’ve learned the hard way! The goal is tender, soft bites, not hard or chewy.

Step 4: Portioning and Baking the Cookies in Sizes

Divide your dough into three sizes: small (1 tsp), medium (2 tsp), and large (3 tsp); this makes stacking into tree shapes easy and fun. I find it helpful to line two baking sheets with parchment or Silpat liners and bake batches one at a time on the middle rack—rotating halfway through—for even cooking. Bake each size for its recommended time but watch closely; cookies should be just set at the edges and slightly soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake!

Step 5: Making the Lush Green Buttercream

While the cookies cool, whip up the buttercream by beating softened butter until silky smooth. Gradually add your confectioners’ sugar, scraping the bowl as you go so everything melds perfectly. Add vanilla and salt, then slowly mix in drops of green food coloring until you get that rich Christmas tree hue you love. Remember, it’s better to start small and build color gradually—you can always add more!

Step 6: Decorate and Stack Your Cookie Trees

Fit a star piping tip (I’m a fan of the 1M!) into your bag and pipe generous swirls of buttercream on the largest cookies. Repeat on the medium cookies, then pipe swirling tops on the smallest cookies—perfect for placing those iconic yellow star sprinkles on top. Stack a large cookie as the base, layer the medium cookie in the middle, and crown it with the small cookie. Finally, sprinkle with gold and silver pearls or your favorite festive decorations. It’s like crafting edible Christmas magic!

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I always reach for the classic yellow star sprinkles as a tree topper—they’re simple but instantly festive. The gold and silver pearl-shaped sprinkles add a touch of sparkle that catches the light beautifully. Sometimes I mix in tiny red and green jimmies or edible glitter for extra holiday cheer. The key is to have fun and make it look like your own little winter wonderland!

Side Dishes

Pairing these cookies with hot cocoa or spiced mulled cider makes them even more magical. I also love serving them alongside a simple cheese and fruit platter for holiday parties—it offers a festive balance of sweet and savory everyone appreciates.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve stacked these Christmas tree cookies on tiered platters and surrounded them with faux snow made from shredded coconut. Wrapping the plate with fairy lights really sets the mood. Another year, I arranged them upright in small glasses to mimic a forest—super cute and great for buffets!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, store your cookie trees in an airtight container. I keep mine at room temperature for up to four days because I prefer the texture to stay soft and the frosting fresh. Refrigerating can sometimes dry them out, though if your kitchen is warm, the fridge helps prevent spoiling. Just be sure to bring them back to room temp before serving.

Freezing

I recommend freezing the baked cookies before frosting. Once baked and cooled, place them in a single layer in airtight containers or zip-top bags and freeze. When you’re ready to bake your Christmas tree cookies with buttercream frosting recipe, thaw and frost fresh to get that creamy consistency and vibrant decorating look.

Reheating

These cookies don’t need reheating, but if you prefer warm cookies, remove the frosting and briefly warm the cookie by itself in a microwave (about 10-15 seconds). Then cool slightly before reapplying freshly made frosting or enjoying as is. This keeps the buttercream from melting and keeps the cookie’s texture intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Tree Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday rituals — there’s something so joyful about creating these little stacked delights that everyone can’t help but admire and savor. They’re playful, pretty, and packed with comforting flavor. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. So grab your mixer, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and get ready for some festive fun in the kitchen!

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