If you’re hunting for a festive treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat, you’re going to adore this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out soft, buttery, and just sweet enough — with that tangy cream cheese frosting to top it all off. When I first tried making these for a holiday gathering, my whole family went crazy for them, and honestly, I haven’t stopped baking them since. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get these perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Tender Cookies: The dough includes sour cream and egg yolks, which keep the sugar cookies wonderfully soft and just the right amount of tender.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Magic: The frosting is silky, slightly tangy, and spreads effortlessly, making each bite irresistible.
- Fun & Festive: These Christmas tree-shaped cookies bring a bit of holiday cheer whether you’re baking with family or hosting a party.
- Beginner Friendly: I used to struggle with cracking cookie edges, but this recipe is forgiving and beginner-friendly—perfect if you’re new to sugar cookies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays an essential role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Plus, I’ll share a few tips to pick the best ones for your batch.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for our cookies—make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Baking powder: Provides a little lift so the cookies aren’t dense.
- Unsalted butter: Use softened (never melted) for the best creamy texture; salted butter works but adjust salt accordingly.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to that classic sugar cookie crunch.
- Egg yolks: Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
- Sour cream: Makes the dough tender and moist—don’t skip this!
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth; I recommend a good quality pure vanilla.
- Lemon extract (optional): Just a touch for a subtle zing—it really brightens up the dough.
- Cream cheese: For the frosting, softened to make it smooth and creamy.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting perfectly.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Whether you want to change up the look or modify for dietary needs, there’s plenty of room to get creative and make it your own.
- Gluten-free twist: I’ve swapped in a gluten-free flour blend before with great success—just be sure to get one designed for baking to keep that soft texture.
- Flavor Boost: Sometimes I add a bit of almond extract instead of lemon for a richer, nuttier flavor that pairs wonderfully with cream cheese frosting.
- Decorating Fun: Try adding festive sprinkles or colored sugar on top of the frosting—the kids (and adults) love the extra sparkle!
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives; the texture changes slightly but still tastes fantastic.
How to Make Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks. Then, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. This step ensures everything is evenly mixed and gives the cookies just the right puff. Trust me, skipping this can lead to uneven texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Wet Ingredients
I love using an electric mixer here to whip the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—it usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This aeration makes a big difference! Next, add the egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla, and lemon extract. Mix gently until just combined; overmixing can toughen the dough, so take it easy.
Step 3: Combine and Roll Out the Dough
Now, add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until it comes together—you’ll want a soft dough that’s easy to roll but not sticky. Divide the dough into two or three pieces to make handling easier. Roll each on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Here’s a pro tip: if the dough feels too soft or sticky, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes—that makes cutting your Christmas tree shapes way easier.
Step 4: Cut, Bake, and Cool the Cookies
Use your Christmas tree cookie cutter to shape the cookies, and arrange them at least 1½ inches apart on your baking sheets. Bake for 7-8 minutes, but be sure to rotate the baking sheets halfway through for even cooking. The edges should just set, and the cookies should remain pale with minimal browning underneath. Let them cool on the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this prevents breakage and helps them keep that perfect shape.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting and Decorate
Whip the softened cream cheese and butter together until super smooth — scraping down the bowl is key here to get that perfect blend. Then add vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar gradually. The frosting should be creamy, spreadable, and just sweet enough. If you want, add food coloring to fit your holiday vibe, then spread or pipe it over your cooled cookies. Decorating Christmas tree cookies with bright green frosting and colorful sprinkles always makes me smile.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Chill the Dough: Rolling soft dough can be tricky; chilling it for about 10 minutes makes cutting shapes much easier.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies should be pale and just set to keep that tender texture—watch the clock closely.
- Use Parchment Paper: Prevent sticking and easy cleanup by always baking on parchment—your cookies will slide right off!
- Smooth Frosting: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in your frosting.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
When I frost these cookies, I often add little touches like rainbow sprinkles, edible glitter, or mini silver dragees to mimic ornaments on the Christmas tree. These not only make the cookies look adorable but add a satisfying crunch. Plus, the colors really pop against the cream cheese frosting!
Side Dishes
If you want to turn your cookie plate into a festive dessert spread, I recommend pairing with hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. For savory balance, simple cheese boards or roasted nuts work beautifully alongside the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
I once arranged these cookies standing up on a platter with different frosting colors to create a miniature Christmas forest centerpiece. Another time, I packaged them in cute cellophane bags tied with twine as gifts. Both ideas were charming and made my holiday gatherings extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After frosting, I store these Christmas tree sugar cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh and chewy for about 4-5 days at room temperature, though honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and cutting. I also freeze frosted cookies by placing them on a tray first, freezing until firm, then stacking them in containers separated by parchment paper.
Reheating
To bring frozen frosted cookies back to fresh-eating perfection, let them come to room temperature naturally—reheating isn’t necessary and can soften the frosting too much. But if you want to warm unfrosted cookies, 10-15 seconds in the microwave works great.
FAQs
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Can I use regular sugar instead of granulated sugar for these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies?
Granulated sugar is best here because it helps create that classic sugar cookie texture and slight crispness. Using powdered sugar instead can make the cookies too soft or cakey. So stick to granulated for the best results!
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How do I prevent these cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted. Also, chilling the dough after mixing helps maintain the cookie shapes. Lastly, avoid overmixing and keep cookie thickness consistent around ¼ inch for best stability.
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Can I make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time?
Absolutely! The frosting can be made a day ahead and stored tightly covered in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whisk before frosting your cookies.
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What’s the best way to get clean edges on my Christmas tree cookies?
Use a sharp cookie cutter and press firmly straight down without twisting. Also, chilling the rolled dough helps keep the edges crisp. Finally, handle the cookies gently when transferring to the baking sheet to avoid any shaping mishaps.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe a try—it’s become such a warm holiday tradition in my home. What I love most is how approachable it is, whether you’re decorating with kids or making a batch solo with some holiday tunes in the background. These cookies bring so much joy, both in the baking and sharing, and I’m confident you’ll have fun and feel proud of the beautiful, delicious results. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!
Print
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. Soft, buttery, and subtly flavored with vanilla and optional lemon, these cookies are perfectly complemented by a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. Ideal for holiday gatherings or as a fun baking project with family, these cookies are a delightful treat that bring festive joy to any table.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract, optional
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 (8-ounce) block softened cream cheese
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside to keep dry ingredients evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another medium bowl, whisk softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla extract, and optional lemon extract to the butter mixture and mix until just combined to preserve texture.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and gently mix until just barely combined, ensuring not to overwork the dough.
- Roll Out Dough and Cut Cookies: Divide the dough into 2-3 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece to ¼ inch thickness. Using a Christmas tree cookie cutter or other festive shapes, cut out the cookies carefully.
- Re-roll Scraps: Gather the scraps, rest them for about 5 minutes, then re-roll and cut out more cookies until all dough is used, maximizing yield.
- Arrange Cookies on Sheets: Place cookies on prepared parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 ½ inches apart for even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 7-8 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through at 4 minutes to promote even baking. Cookies should have set edges, very light color, and minimal browning underneath.
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to set their shape before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely, preparing them for frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until smooth. Scrape down the sides and beat again briefly to ensure even texture.
- Add Flavorings and Sugar: Add vanilla extract, salt, and powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low at first to prevent sugar flying, then beat until smooth and creamy.
- Decorate Cookies: Optionally color the frosting, then spread or pipe it onto the cooled cookies as desired, creating festive holiday treats.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- Resting scraps before re-rolling allows the dough to relax, making it easier to shape without cracking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats on baking sheets for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- The lemon extract is optional but adds a nice subtle citrus note; you can omit or substitute with almond extract for variation.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- These cookies can be made a day ahead; just keep frosting refrigerated until use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
