Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and of course, delicious sweets! One of the highlights of the festive season is indulging in beautifully decorated cookies. This year, impress your family and friends with delightful Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies. The charm of these cookies lies not only in their stunning appearance but also in their rich, soft texture and festive flavors. Imagine biting into a moist red velvet cookie topped with bright royal icing and shimmering edible glitter. They are not just treats; they’re a festive experience!
As pinks and reds reign in the holiday season, these cookies add a dash of vibrancy to your dessert table. They are perfect for gifting, sharing at parties, or simply indulging while enjoying your favorite holiday movie. With these Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies, you’ll create lasting memories—and perhaps start a new holiday tradition! Whether you’re baking with children or prepping for a holiday get-together, these cookies promise to bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces.
Why You’ll Love This Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies
- Festive Flavor: The combination of rich red velvet and chocolate cocoa makes for a unique and delicious cookie that tastes like the holidays.
- Fun to Decorate: Get creative with royal icing and edible decorations, allowing family members or kids to join in on the fun.
- Soft Texture: The cookies remain soft even after baking, making them a delightful treat that melts in your mouth.
- Perfect for Gifting: Present these cookies in decorative boxes for a thoughtful homemade gift this Christmas!
- Easy to Follow: The recipe is simple and straightforward, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Before you dive into baking these beautiful Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies, it’s essential to prepare your kitchen. Start by clearing your countertops and ensuring you have enough working space. Gather the following tools: a large mixing bowl, a smaller mixing bowl, a rolling pin, tree-shaped cookie cutters, measuring cups and spoons, and baking sheets. You may also want to line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C) while you prepare your dough. This way, it will be perfectly ready when you finish mixing. Additionally, having all your ingredients measured and at hand will streamline the process. With everything set, you’re ready to create some holiday magic!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- ½ tsp baking soda
- For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 4–5 tbsp water
- Gel food coloring (red, green, white)
- For Decorating:
- Edible holly leaves and berries
- Edible glitter or shimmer dust
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by mixing the dry ingredients to build the base of your cookie dough. In a large bowl, combine the sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial as it ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough. In a separate mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process introduces air into the butter, giving your cookies a lovely soft texture.
Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter and sugar blend. Mix until everything is well combined. To integrate the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, slowly alternate between adding the dry mix and the buttermilk, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. This careful incorporation prevents clumps and ensures a smooth, homogeneous dough.
Step 2: Chill and Cut
Once your dough is ready, divide it into two halves. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 1 to 2 hours. Chilling the dough solidifies the fat, making it easier to roll out and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. While the dough chills, you can prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. When the dough has firmed up sufficiently, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Use your tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
With your oven preheated, it’s time to bake your cookies! Place the cookie sheets in the oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops look slightly firm. After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the tray for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period is essential; letting them set on the baking sheet helps prevent breakage and enhances their flavor.
Step 4: Make Royal Icing
While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing. In a mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder. Slowly add 4 to 5 tablespoons of water, mixing until you achieve a stiff consistency. If the icing is too thick, add a little more water—just a teaspoon at a time—until it reaches the desired consistency for piping. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with your gel food coloring as desired, creating red, green, and white shades for your decorations.
Step 5: Decorate the Cookies
Once the cookies are cool and your icing is ready, it’s time to unleash your creativity! Begin by piping garlands on the trees with your white icing. Then, use the green icing for the leaves and the red icing for the berries as delightful accents. Once decorated, sprinkle edible glitter and shimmer dust for added holiday sparkle. This festive touch not only makes your cookies visually appealing but also adds an extra dimension of flavor. Allow the icing to dry completely before serving or storing.
Variations
- Protein: Add some chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
- Vegetables: Incorporate shredded carrots for a subtle sweetness and unique texture in the cookie base.
- Spices: Experiment with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to introduce warm flavors that complement the red velvet.
Cooking Notes
- Make sure to properly measure your ingredients for the best results. Baking is a science, and accurate measurements are crucial.
- It’s important to sift your flour and powdered sugar to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth dough and icing.
- Consider setting up a decorating station with different colors of icing and decorations to make the process even more fun.
- You can store the decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, but they are best enjoyed fresh!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these cookies on a decorative platter for your holiday gatherings.
- Pair with a warm cup of hot cocoa or festive eggnog for a delightful treat.
Tips
- To keep your icing from hardening while you’re working, cover it with a damp cloth.
- If you want to make the cookies in advance, prepare the dough and freeze it, then thaw and bake fresh cookies on the day you need them.
- For a burst of flavor, consider adding a hint of almond extract to the dough.
- If using different sized cookie cutters, adjust baking time to ensure even baking.
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours and 42 minutes (including chilling)
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Approximately 120 per cookie
- Protein: 1.5g
- Sodium: 120mg
FAQs
What can I use instead of meringue powder?
You can substitute equal amounts of egg whites for meringue powder to achieve similar results in royal icing.
Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
Absolutely! The cookies will still taste delicious, though they won’t have the signature red hue.
How can I store these cookies?
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To preserve freshness, separate layers with parchment paper.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes! You can freeze the unbaked dough or the baked cookies. Just make sure to wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Conclusion
These Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are not just a treat but a delightful way to spread holiday cheer. Their irresistibly soft texture and festive decorations make them perfect for any holiday gathering or as a heartfelt gift for loved ones. We encourage you to gather your family around, unleash your creativity with the icing, and enjoy the process of baking together. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or explore variations to personalize your cookies, one thing is for sure: they will bring smiles and joy to all who taste them. So go ahead, try this recipe, and share your beautiful creations! Happy baking!
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Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies
- Total Time: 2 hours and 42 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 120 cookies 1x
Description
These Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are a delightful way to spread holiday cheer with their soft texture and festive decorations.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- ½ tsp baking soda
- For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 4–5 tbsp water
- Gel food coloring (red, green, white)
- For Decorating:
- Edible holly leaves and berries
- Edible glitter or shimmer dust
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cream the unsalted butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until combined. Alternately add the dry mix and buttermilk until cohesive dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, chill for 1 to 2 hours. Roll out to ¼ inch thickness and cut with tree-shaped cookie cutters.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Mix powdered sugar and meringue powder, add water to achieve stiff consistency, and color with food coloring. Decorate cooled cookies and allow icing to dry.
Notes
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, best enjoyed fresh.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 120 per cookie
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Protein: 1.5 g