Description
Sparkling Sugar Tree Cookies are festive, buttery sugar cookies cut into tree shapes and decorated with royal icing and shimmering sprinkles. Crisp on the edges and soft in the center, they make the perfect treat for your holiday dessert table or cookie exchange.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 batch royal icing
Festive sprinkles (gold, green, and white)
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
5. Divide dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
7. Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just turning golden. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
9. Once completely cooled, decorate with royal icing and festive sprinkles. Allow to dry fully before storing.
Notes
Chill the dough for at least 1 hour to keep the cookie shape sharp and defined.
Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing without changing the texture.
Store iced cookies in a single layer to protect decorations from smudging.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg