Description
Add a festive sparkle to your holiday dessert table with these Sparkling Sugar Tree Cookies. This easy recipe features buttery sugar cookies cut into Christmas tree shapes, topped with smooth icing and decorated with glittering sprinkles. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast treat, holiday party dessert, or cute food gift idea, these cookies are a guaranteed hit. Perfect for family baking sessions, cookie exchanges, or winter snack time. A must-have in your collection of easy recipes and seasonal food ideas!
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk or water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional)
Gel food coloring (optional)
Assorted sprinkles and edible decorations
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until combined.
3. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface.
6. Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Chill cut-out cookies for 10–15 minutes before baking.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden.
9. Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Make icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk or water, and corn syrup until smooth.
11. Adjust consistency, divide, and color icing if desired.
12. Outline and flood cookies with icing, then decorate with sprinkles and glitter.
13. Allow cookies to dry completely before stacking or packaging.
Notes
Always chill the dough before and after cutting shapes to prevent spreading.
Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing without thinning it too much.
Let the decorated cookies dry overnight for best results when stacking or gifting.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: holiday cookies, sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, easy dessert, cookie gift ideas