Best Christmas Tree Cookies for Hanging
Christmas Tree Cookies are a festive holiday classic that’s both fun to make and decorate. The buttery dough, packed with chocolate and walnuts, makes them as delicious as they are eye-catching. You can prep the dough ahead or freeze it, making them perfect for busy holiday schedules. With a small hole for threading ribbon or string, they’re perfect for hanging on the tree or gifting as edible ornaments!
Equipment
- Cellophane gift bags optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup chopped chocolate
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Cream the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.½ cup softened butter, ½ cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In the same bowl, add the flour and salt. Stir gently, just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this keeps the dough tender.¼ teaspoon salt, 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Fold in the chopped chocolate and walnuts, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Shape the dough into a rectangle, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until firm.½ cup chopped chocolate, ½ cup chopped walnuts
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Use a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- If you’re planning to hang the cookies as ornaments, use a straw or skewer to make a small hole at the top of each cookie. Chill the tray in the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes to help the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and, while they’re still warm, gently re-punch the holes if needed.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, or thread a string through the holes to hang them as ornaments. Hang them or place them in gifts bags and enjoy!
Notes
- Softened Butter is a Must: Soft butter makes the dough smooth and easy to work with, so let it sit at room temperature before you start.
- Chilling is Key: Don’t skip chilling the dough—it’s what keeps the cookies from spreading in the oven.
- Even Thickness Matters: Roll the dough evenly to ensure all your cookies bake at the same rate.
- Get Creative with Decorations: Try sprinkling on festive sugar or drizzle melted chocolate for a unique touch.
- Nut-Free Option: If you’re making these for someone with allergies, simply leave out the walnuts or swap them for seeds.
- Freezing Made Easy: You can freeze the dough for up to a month. Just let it thaw in the fridge before rolling and cutting.
- Double-Check the Holes: Use a straw or skewer to re-punch the holes after baking if they shrink slightly.
Nutrition
Calories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 154IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
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