If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that’ll brighten up your holiday baking, you’ve got to try this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe. I absolutely love how the hint of lime zest and juice adds a fresh twist to classic sugar cookies, making them irresistibly delicious and just a little unexpected. Stick around—I’m going to share all my best tips to help your cookies turn out perfect, every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright, Zesty Flavor: The lime zest and juice soak right into the dough, giving these sugar cookies a subtle citrusy pop that pairs perfectly with the sweet royal icing.
Perfectly Soft, Yet Crisp: When I first tried this recipe, I was thrilled at how the cookies had just the right balance—light crunch on the edges with a soft center.
Fun & Festive Decorating: Using two shades of royal icing lets you create beautiful borders and flooded centers, then sprinkle on sugar pearls and festive sprinkles for that holiday sparkle.
Great for Baking with Kids: Rolling out the dough and cutting out Christmas tree shapes gets everyone involved, making this a joyful holiday tradition!

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to make a classic sugar cookie dough that’s a little special thanks to lime—and the royal icing is just the right texture for decorating your Christmas tree shapes. I always recommend using fresh lime for the best flavor and unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness.

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe - Ingredients

All-purpose flour: This gives your cookies structure and a tender crumb; I never substitute with self-rising flour here.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the lime’s brightness.
Lime (zest and juice): Freshly zested lime is a total game-changer—you can’t get the same flavor from bottled juice or zest.
Unsalted butter (softened): Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
Granulated sugar: Gives that classic sweetness and helps create a slight crunch on the cookie edges.
Eggs (large): They hold the dough together and add richness to the cookie texture.
Egg whites (for royal icing): Using fresh egg whites gives the icing a glossy finish that hardens just right—no need for meringue powder here.
Powdered sugar: For a smooth, sweet royal icing base that dries beautifully.
Pink gel food coloring: Adds that cheerful holiday pop; gel colors work better than liquid since they don’t thin the icing.
Sprinkles: Use sugar pearls and festive shapes for decorating while the icing is still wet.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with the classic recipe to make it suit my mood or the occasion. Feel free to get creative—the lime flavor works well with different fun touches!

Try adding lime zest to the royal icing: I once added just a tiny bit of zest to the flood icing for an extra zing that made these cookies even more refreshing.
Swap pink for green or gold food coloring: When I wanted a more traditional look, I used green icing to mimic evergreen trees, which my family absolutely adored.
Make gluten-free dough: I’ve had success substituting with a gluten-free flour blend—just keep an eye on the dough’s moisture and add a tablespoon of milk if needed.
Use different shapes: If you don’t have a Christmas tree cutter handy, hearts or stars work beautifully and still bring that holiday cheer.

How to Make Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients With a Lime Twist

Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour and kosher salt in a large bowl. Then zest your lime directly into this mixture—that zest is packed with essential citrus oils, and trust me, you want every bit of that flavor in your dough. Don’t forget to save the lime juice for later!

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Lime Juice Until Dreamy

In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer if you prefer), combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and fresh lime juice. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the mixture is pale and creamy. This is one of those steps where patience really pays off—well-creamed butter and sugar means soft, tender cookies.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Incorporate the Flour Mixture

Next, add your eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed in before adding the next. Then slowly add the lime-zested flour and salt mixture in batches. Mix just until the dough comes together and starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl—you don’t want to overmix, or the cookies will turn out tough.

Step 4: Chill, Roll, and Cut Your Christmas Trees

Flatten your dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour. This step is crucial: chilling firms up the dough so it rolls out easily and helps your cookies hold their shape during baking. Once chilled, roll your dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick. Use a 3-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes. Keep a close eye on them—you want the edges lightly golden but the center still soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from cracking or breaking.

Step 6: Whip Up the Flawless Royal Icing

Using a clean, dry stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, beat your egg whites on high speed until they foam, then lower speed and gradually add powdered sugar in batches. Beat until the mixture becomes thick and holds peaks—this takes some patience but is totally worth it for the perfect piping consistency.

Step 7: Color, Thin, and Bag Your Icing

Divide the icing into two parts—leave one white and tint the other with pink gel food coloring. Set aside about a quarter of each icing to keep thick (for outlining) and thin the rest with 1-2 teaspoons of water to create a flood icing that spreads easily. Transfer each to separate piping bags.

Step 8: Outline, Flood, and Decorate Your Cookies

Start by outlining each cookie with the thick icing; this border acts like a dam to hold in the flood icing. Then flood the center with the thinned icing, using a toothpick to gently spread it evenly. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle superfine sugar and your favorite festive sprinkles—sugar pearls add just the right sparkle. Let everything set before serving.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe

Chill Twice for Clean Edges: After rolling and cutting, I like to chill the shaped dough on the sheet for 10 minutes before baking to help cookies hold their shape better.
Don’t Skip Scraping: When creaming butter and sugar, scraping the bowl sides ensures an even mix and fluffy texture—it’s a game changer.
Test Your Oven Temperature: I’ve found that oven temps vary, so using an oven thermometer helps avoid overbaking these delicate cookies.
Use a Light Hand with Icing Water: Add water drop by drop to thin royal icing — too much and the icing won’t set properly, trust me I learned the hard way.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with a dusting of superfine sugar for that frosted look, plus a mix of sprinkles like sugar pearls and colorful sugar strands. They’re simple but make a big impact on presentation and texture!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea or hot cocoa during holiday gatherings. I also like to plate them alongside gingerbread men or peppermint bark for a festive cookie platter.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these Christmas tree sugar cookies in a wreath pattern on a large platter, adding fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries around them for a natural, elegant holiday display. Wrapping a stack tied with red and green ribbon also makes a lovely gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and soft for about 3-4 days—though honestly, they tend to disappear faster!

Freezing

I like to freeze the unbaked dough disk wrapped tightly in plastic wrap; it keeps beautifully for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just thaw overnight in the fridge and proceed. You can also freeze fully decorated cookies between layers of parchment paper in a sealed container for up to a month.

Reheating

Since these cookies are best served room temperature, I don’t usually reheat them. But if you want to revive that fresh-baked feel, pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. Just watch carefully so the icing doesn’t melt!

FAQs

Can I use bottled lime juice for this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe?

While you technically can use bottled lime juice, I highly recommend fresh lime juice and zest for the best flavor. Bottled juice often lacks the bright, zesty notes that make these cookies stand out.
How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chilling the dough before rolling and baking is crucial. Also, avoid using too much butter or over-creaming the dough. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and bake at 350°F for the best shape retention.
Is it safe to use raw egg whites in royal icing?

Yes, but only if you use fresh, properly refrigerated eggs and consume the cookies within a few days. If you’re concerned, consider using pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder as alternatives.
Can I make this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. I recommend checking the dough consistency and adding a little extra moisture if it feels dry, since gluten-free flours absorb differently.
How long does it take for the royal icing to dry?

Royal icing usually sets to a firm touch within 4-6 hours at room temperature. For thicker layers or colder environments, it can take overnight. Avoid stacking decorated cookies until fully dry.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love making these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Lime Recipe every holiday season—it’s become a sweet tradition in my house. The lime adds a fresh surprise that guests don’t expect, and the decorating process brings so much joy (especially with kids involved!). I hope you try this recipe and enjoy the same satisfying crunch, chewy center, and festive fun that I do every time I bake these. Happy baking, and may your holidays be merry and bright!