The Magic of Christmas Cookies
Is it even the holidays if your kitchen doesn’t smell like fresh sugar cookies baking in the oven? There’s something so nostalgic and heartwarming about making cookies that look just as joyful as they taste. These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies aren’t just cute — they’re crisp on the edges, tender in the center, and decorated like a winter wonderland. And yes, they look exactly like the photo — that adorable, perfectly shaped tree cookie with colorful red and green M&Ms and a sugar sparkle that twinkles like fresh snow.
Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, gifting to neighbors, or just having some holiday fun with the kids, this recipe is your go-to for a festive treat that tastes even better than it looks.
Why These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies Are a Must-Bake
You know those holiday recipes that become a tradition after just one try? This is that cookie.
- They hold their shape beautifully, thanks to the firm dough and thoughtful shaping tools.
- They’re buttery and lightly crisp, not dry or overly sweet.
- The M&Ms give them that classic Christmas color pop, and who doesn’t love edible ornaments?
- You don’t need any royal icing or piping skills. These cookies get their festive look with minimal fuss.
- They’re fast. From dough to decorated in under 30 minutes. Yes, really.
These cookies are like the cozy Christmas sweater of baked goods—warm, charming, and guaranteed to bring smiles.
Ingredients You’ll Need – Simple and Sweet
Let’s break it down so you know why each ingredient matters.
Butter: The Heart of the Cookie
Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. Softened to room temperature is key — not melted, not cold. Butter gives that signature sugar cookie richness and helps with structure.
Granulated Sugar: Sweet but Balanced
¾ cup is just enough to sweeten the dough without making it tooth-achingly sweet. This amount also helps the cookies hold shape without spreading too much.
Egg & Vanilla: Flavor and Structure
- One large egg adds just the right amount of binding.
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract add warmth and aroma. You’ll smell Christmas in the air as they bake.
Flour, Baking Powder & Salt: The Dry Team
- All-purpose flour (2¼ cups) provides the body.
- ½ tsp baking powder gives a slight lift.
- ¼ tsp salt balances the sweetness.
M&Ms & Sparkling Sugar: The Festive Finish
Use red and green M&Ms — mini or regular, depending on how “decorated” you want your trees. A light sprinkle of granulated sugar before and after baking makes them sparkle like they were dusted with snowflakes. ✨
Tools You’ll Need for the Perfect Shape
You’ve got options for shaping these beauties, and we’ll walk through the best ones.
Cookie Press with Christmas Tree Disc
This is the gold standard for achieving those defined little trees with perfectly crisp ridges. It creates cookies that look just like the image: detailed, even, and delightfully uniform.
Alternative Shaping Tools
- Tree-shaped cookie mold or stamp: Also gives great definition.
- Silicone tree molds: Perfect if you like slightly thicker cookies with depth.
- Rolling pin and cookie cutter combo: Will work in a pinch but won’t look as “perfect” as a press or mold.
Let’s Talk Dough – The Secret to Defined Trees
The magic of these cookies is in the dough’s consistency. It should be stiff but pliable, soft enough to press but firm enough to hold its shape. The butter, flour ratio, and mixing method all play a part.
Here’s how to get it right:
- Don’t overbeat the butter and sugar. We’re going for creamy, not fluffy.
- Mix the dry ingredients in gradually and on low speed to avoid overworking the dough.
- If the dough is too soft to shape, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.
Think of the dough as clay — it should mold easily without melting between your fingers.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cookie Perfection
Let’s walk through it, step by step, just like we would if we were baking together in your kitchen.
Creaming the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar. Use a hand or stand mixer and mix for about 2 to 3 minutes, just until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Tip: Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure even mixing.
Adding the Egg and Vanilla
Crack in 1 large egg and pour in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Beat for another minute, just until combined. You don’t want to whip too much air into this — soft and creamy is the goal.
Mixing in the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Add this dry mix to the wet mixture in parts, mixing on low speed. The dough will start pulling away from the bowl — that’s when you know it’s ready.
Shaping the Cookies
Grab your cookie press or mold. Spoon the dough in (if using a press) and press out tree shapes directly onto an ungreased baking sheet or parchment paper.
You should see the ridges and tree details clearly.
If the dough sticks: Chill it briefly or dust the press/mold lightly with flour.
Decorating with M&Ms
Before baking, gently press 3–5 red and green M&Ms onto each cookie. Space them like ornaments going up the tree. Don’t press too hard — just enough to embed them slightly into the dough.
Adding That Sugary Sparkle
Using a small spoon or your fingers, sprinkle a pinch of granulated sugar over each cookie. This gives them that snowy, glittery finish you see in the photo.
Baking Tips to Keep Your Trees from Spreading
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 8–10 minutes — no more. You’re looking for:
- Pale tops with tiny cracks
- Barely golden edges on the bottom
- No browning on top!
Overbaking = spread and dryness. These cookies should be soft but firm.
Cooling, Sprinkling, and Admiring Your Work
Right after pulling them from the oven, hit them with one more light sprinkle of sugar. Let them cool on the tray for a couple minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Now step back and admire: perfect little trees, colorful “ornaments,” and a sugar-dusted finish. Straight out of a Christmas movie scene.
Pro Tips for Consistently Cute Cookies
Want to make sure every single cookie looks bakery-perfect? Here are a few tried-and-true tips to keep your sugar trees looking sharp and festive:
- Use room temperature ingredients. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and warm butter will make your dough too soft.
- Don’t skip the sugar sprinkle before AND after baking. That’s what gives your cookies that frosted, snowy glow — just like in the photo.
- Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Not only does this prevent sticking, but it also helps keep the bottoms of your cookies from browning too fast.
- Chill the dough briefly if it’s too soft. If your cookies start to spread or lose shape, refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes and try again.
- Don’t overwork the dough. Overmixing will lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the flour is incorporated and the dough holds together.
Small tweaks make a big difference when you want your cookies to come out Instagram-ready and delicious.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Holiday baking is all about getting ahead of the chaos, right? Good news — these sugar cookies are very freezer and storage friendly.
Here’s how to prep like a holiday pro:
- Make the dough ahead of time: Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Freeze unbaked shaped cookies: After shaping and decorating with M&Ms, place cookies on a tray in the freezer for 1 hour. Then transfer to a ziplock bag. When ready to bake, just pop them straight in the oven (add 1 extra minute to bake time).
- Store baked cookies: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freeze baked cookies: These freeze beautifully! Just let them cool completely, stack with parchment between layers, and freeze in a container for up to 2 months.
Perfect for those last-minute cookie platters or surprise guests during the holidays!
How to Make Them Even More Magical with Kids
This recipe is practically made for baking with kids. It’s simple, hands-on, and visually rewarding — plus, who doesn’t love adding M&Ms to anything?
Here’s how to make it extra special:
- Let kids press the cookies using the cookie press — it’s like a festive Play-Doh set!
- Turn decorating into a game. See who can make the prettiest tree or who adds the most “ornaments.”
- Read a Christmas book or play carols while baking. Create a full sensory holiday experience.
- Make them part of the gift process. Kids love wrapping up cookies for teachers, neighbors, or grandparents.
You’ll not only create sweet treats, but even sweeter memories.
Print
Perfect Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
Description
🎄✨ Festive, buttery, and perfectly shaped Christmas tree sugar cookies decorated with colorful M&Ms and a sparkling sugar finish. These adorable cookies bring instant holiday cheer! 🎅💚❤️
Ingredients
1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Red & green M&Ms (mini or full-size)
2–3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Beat softened butter and sugar until smooth and creamy, not fluffy. 😊
⏱️ 3 minutesAdd the egg and vanilla, mixing until just combined.
⏱️ 1 minuteIn a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low until a firm dough forms. 🎄
⏱️ 2 minutesShape the cookies using a cookie press (tree disc), tree-shaped mold, or silicone stamp for defined ridges that won’t spread. 🌟
⏱️ 4 minutesPress 3–5 red and green M&Ms onto each cookie to create colorful “ornaments.” 🌈
⏱️ 1 minuteLightly sprinkle granulated sugar over the tops for a snowy sparkle. ❄️
⏱️ 30 secondsPreheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 8–10 minutes, keeping the tops pale with tiny cracks while the bottoms turn barely golden.
⏱️ 8–10 minutesDust warm cookies with a touch more sugar for the final shimmer. ✨
⏱️ 30 seconds
Notes
No-Spread Tip: Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if you want the tree shape to stay extra sharp during baking.
Flavor Boost: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract for a classic bakery-style sugar cookie flavor.
Decoration Swap: Instead of M&Ms, you can use sprinkles, chocolate chips, or mini gumdrops.
Make-Ahead: Dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept in the fridge, or frozen for up to 2 months.
Texture: Bake just until the edges are pale — overbaking will make them dry instead of soft.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20–24 cookies
- Calories: 140 kcal
Flavor Variations to Try
Want to mix it up a bit while still keeping the festive spirit alive? Here are some tasty and subtle variations that work great with this recipe:
Almond Extract
Swap out 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract for almond extract. This gives the cookies a nutty, almost marzipan-like holiday flavor.
Citrus Zest
Add 1 tablespoon of orange or lemon zest to the dough for a bright, refreshing twist. Orange pairs especially well with the buttery base and chocolate M&Ms.
Brown Butter Version
Want a deeper, nuttier flavor? Brown the butter before using it (let it cool back to room temperature first). It adds a rich, toffee-like note that takes these cookies to a whole new level.
Pro Tip: Don’t go too wild with flavorings — the classic buttery vanilla taste is part of what makes these so crave-worthy.
You may also like :
Thick Caramel Christmas Crack 🍬
Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies: The Most Magical Holiday Treat
Mistakes to Avoid (We’ve All Been There!)
No shame — even seasoned bakers mess up sometimes. Here are a few common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Overbaking. These cookies should not be golden all over. Bake just until the edges barely start to turn golden.
- Using melted butter. Softened butter is key — not melted. Melted butter = greasy cookies that spread.
- Adding M&Ms after baking. They won’t stick! Press them into the raw dough so they stay put.
- Skipping the sugar dusting. It adds flavor and sparkle. Don’t skip it if you want the full festive effect.
- Using a cookie cutter without chilling the dough. If not using a press, chill your dough to avoid spreading.
Serving Suggestions & Holiday Presentation
You didn’t just bake cookies — you crafted edible holiday art! So let’s present them with style:
- Arrange on a white platter with some fresh rosemary sprigs or mini pine branches for a winter forest vibe.
- Wrap in cellophane bags with ribbon for gift-giving. Add a handwritten tag for extra charm.
- Stack in cookie tins with parchment between layers. Add a festive sticker or label on top.
- Serve on a dessert board alongside peppermint bark, fudge, and hot cocoa for a full-on Christmas treat tray.
Presentation takes your cookies from “cute” to “WOW.”
Final Thoughts: Cookies That Feel Like Christmas Morning
There’s a reason these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are always a hit — they’re not just beautiful, they’re buttery, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They taste like the holidays. They look like they came from a boutique bakery. And best of all? You made them in under 30 minutes with ingredients you already had at home.
This recipe isn’t just for making cookies. It’s for making memories. Year after year, these little trees will become part of your holiday rhythm — something your kids ask for, your guests remember, and your heart treasures.
Similar recipes :
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Holiday Delight
Peppermint Chocolate-Dipped Sandwich Cookies
FAQs About Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
1. Can I make these without a cookie press?
Yes! You can use a tree-shaped cookie cutter, stamp, or silicone mold. Just make sure the dough is firm so the trees hold their shape.
2. Can I use icing instead of M&Ms?
Absolutely! You can pipe on decorations with royal icing or colored buttercream. But M&Ms are easier and give that clean, festive look.
3. How do I stop the cookies from spreading?
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and don’t overbeat. Also, shaping with a cookie press or mold really helps retain the design.
4. Do I have to chill the dough?
Not necessarily! If your dough is the right consistency (soft but firm), you can press and bake right away. Chill only if it feels too sticky.
5. How long do these cookies stay fresh?
They stay soft and delicious for up to a week in an airtight container — and they freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.
