Easy Festive Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe

Crafting delightful red velvet christmas tree cookies becomes a festive adventure that sparkles with holiday magic.

Crimson-hued dough transforms ordinary baking into a whimsical celebration of seasonal cheer.

Sweet aromas will dance through your kitchen, creating memories of cozy winter moments.

Each delicate cookie carries the spirit of christmas, decorated with playful green sprinkles and elegant white icing.

Baking these treats connects you to cherished traditions that warm hearts and bring smiles.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise a delectable experience that captures winter’s enchantment.

These charming cookies invite you to spread joy with every delicious bite.

Why These Red Velvet Cookies Feel Extra Festive

• Create Festive Holiday Memories: These red velvet Christmas tree cookies bring pure holiday cheer straight to your kitchen.
• Craft Simple Seasonal Treats: Beginner bakers can confidently create these stunning cookies with basic baking skills and minimal special techniques.
• Design Stunning Visual Delights: The vibrant red base and green glaze transform ordinary cookies into Instagram-worthy holiday masterpieces that will impress family and friends.
• Customize Decorative Creativity: Personalize each cookie with unique sprinkle patterns and glaze designs, making every treat a delightful edible art piece that sparks joy during holiday gatherings.

Red Velvet Cookie Ingredients You’ll Love Using

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational ingredient that provides structure for the red velvet cookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives the rich chocolate flavor and deep red color characteristic of red velvet.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and adds delicious flavor to the cookies.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning and texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.
• Red Food Coloring: Delivers the signature vibrant red color of red velvet cookies.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combine to create a smooth, classic glaze for cookie decoration.
• Green Food Coloring: Transforms the glaze into a festive green for tree-like designs.
• White and Pearl Sprinkles: Add a sparkling, festive finishing touch to the Christmas tree cookies.

How to Bake Tree-Shaped Cookies That Impress

Step 1: Blend Dry Ingredients

Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until completely combined.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which takes about 3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Blend in egg, red food coloring, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until smooth and vibrant red.

Step 4: Combine Dough

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Chill Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to help it firm up.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7: Roll Out Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness.

Step 8: Cut Christmas Tree Shapes

Use festive cookie cutters to create christmas tree-shaped cookies.

Step 9: Arrange Cookies

Transfer cookie shapes to prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between each cookie.

Step 10: Bake Cookies

Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookie edges are slightly firm and bottoms are light golden.

Step 11: Cool Completely

Allow cookies to cool entirely on wire racks.

Step 12: Prepare Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Until the mixture becomes smooth.

Step 13: Create Green Glaze

Tint a portion of the glaze with green food coloring for decorating.

Step 14: Decorate Cookies

Drizzle green glaze over cookies in tree-like patterns.

Step 15: Add Festive Touches

Sprinkle white and pearl decorations while the glaze is still wet.

Step 16: Let Set

Allow decorated cookies to set for 30 minutes before serving and enjoying.

Tips for Soft, Sweet Red Velvet Cookie Bites

• Prevent Color Bleeding: Add food coloring gradually and mix thoroughly to ensure even red color distribution without streaks or uneven patches.
• Chill Dough Completely: Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour to prevent cookies from spreading and maintain crisp tree shapes during baking.
• Roll Evenly for Perfect Thickness: Use rolling pin guides or spacers to achieve consistent 1/4-inch thickness, ensuring uniform baking and crisp edges.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Let cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent runny icing and achieve clean, defined decorative patterns.
• Sprinkle with Precision: Apply white and pearl sprinkles immediately after glazing while surface remains wet for best adhesion and festive finish.

Holiday Twists for Your Christmas Tree Cookies

• Holiday Spice Cookies: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dry ingredients for a warm, festive flavor profile that enhances the red velvet base.
• Chocolate-Dipped Christmas Trees: After cooling, partially dip cookies in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint for an elegant winter treat.
• Cream Cheese Drizzle Variation: Replace green glaze with a tangy cream cheese drizzle, complementing the red velvet's traditional flavor and adding rich texture.
• Festive Nutty Version: Mix chopped pecans or almonds into the dough for extra crunch and incorporate a subtle nutty undertone to the classic Christmas cookie.

Red Velvet Cookie Pairings That Make Sense

• Savor Sweet Cocoa Companion: Rich hot chocolate complements the red velvet cookies, enhancing their chocolatey undertones and creating a warm festive experience.
• Pair with Sparkling Celebration: Champagne or prosecco offers a delightful contrast, cutting through the sweetness and adding elegant holiday cheer to cookie enjoyment.
• Elevate with Creamy Delight: Vanilla bean ice cream provides a smooth, cold counterpoint to the warm, festive cookie, balancing texture and temperature perfectly.
• Match with Festive Tea: Peppermint or cinnamon tea echoes the Christmas theme, bringing out the cookie's subtle spice notes and creating a cozy seasonal moment.

Best Ways to Keep Christmas Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container layered between parchment paper sheets, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days at cool room temperature.
• Carefully stack undecorated cookies in freezer-safe containers with wax paper between layers, preserving quality for 2-3 months; thaw at room temperature before glazing.
• Place cookies in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources, maintaining crisp texture for 3-4 days maximum.
• Ensure cookies are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which might cause decorative glaze to become soggy or lose its vibrant appearance.

Holiday Cookie FAQs Wrapped Up Neatly

• What gives these cookies their distinctive red color?

The vibrant red color comes from red food coloring mixed directly into the cookie dough, creating a festive Christmas-themed appearance.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading during baking?

Chilling the dough for 1 hour before rolling and cutting helps firm up the butter, preventing excessive spreading and maintaining the precise Christmas tree shape.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 2-3 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic film in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll and bake.

Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Festive red velvet Christmas tree cookies bring holiday cheer with their rich cocoa flavor and elegant green frosting. Delicate and merry, these sweet treats will delight guests and make your celebration sparkle with seasonal joy.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Decorating Ingredients

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Edible pearl sprinkles
• White sugar pearls

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly combined.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a separate large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Incorporate egg, red food coloring, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and vibrant red.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Wrap dough in plastic film and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
8. Cut out christmas tree shapes using festive cookie cutters.
9. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are slightly firm and bottoms are light golden.
11. Cool cookies completely on wire racks.
12. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
13. Tint a portion of glaze with green food coloring for tree decorating.
14. Drizzle green glaze over cookies in tree-like patterns.
15. Embellish with white and pearl sprinkles while glaze is still wet.
16. Allow decorated cookies to set for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Ensure cocoa powder is fresh and unsweetened for authentic red velvet flavor depth.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp tree shapes during baking.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant red color without altering dough consistency.
• Gluten-free option works by substituting all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg