Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies—a fun, festive, and delicious treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting. With their vibrant red color, soft texture, and the sweetness of green icing and sprinkles, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite.
Print
Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies
🎄🍪 These Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are the perfect way to add a pop of festive color to your holiday treats! 💖✨ With their soft, chewy texture and rich red velvet flavor, these cookies are topped with creamy frosting and sprinkles for that extra holiday sparkle. 🎅🎁 Ideal for gift-giving, cookie swaps, or just celebrating the season with something sweet! 🌟
#RedVelvetCookies #ChristmasTreeTreats #HolidayBaking #FestiveGoodies #RedVelvetLove #ChristmasCookieJoy #ChewyAndDelicious #CookieSwapFavorites #HolidaySparkle #BakingWithLove 🎄🍪💖
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red velvet cake mix (for color)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Green icing (for decorating)
- Sprinkles or candy stars (for decoration)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and red velvet cake mix. The cake mix will give the cookies their signature vibrant red color and subtle flavor.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until the dough just comes together. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
5. Chill the Dough
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
6. Roll and Cut Out Shapes
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out festive tree shapes.
7. Bake the Cookies
- Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The center of the cookies should remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
8. Decorate the Cookies
- Once cooled, decorate each cookie with green icing to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Add sprinkles or candy stars to give the trees a touch of sparkle and holiday cheer.
Notes
- Dough Consistency:
- If the dough feels too soft or sticky to roll, you can refrigerate it a little longer or lightly flour your rolling pin.
- Icing Tip:
- For a smoother application of the green icing, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This will make it easier to spread on the cookies.
- Customizing Decorations:
- Get creative with your decorations! You can use mini chocolate chips for ornaments or crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
- Storage:
- These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the undecorated cookies and ice them when you’re ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
The combination of red velvet cake mix and classic cookie ingredients creates a flavorful base, while the fun decorations allow you to get creative and add a touch of sparkle to your holiday festivities. Whether you’re baking with little ones or preparing a special treat for a holiday party, these cookies are a showstopper.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red velvet cake mix (for color)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Green icing (for decorating)
- Sprinkles or candy stars (for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and red velvet cake mix. The cake mix will give the cookies their signature vibrant red color and subtle flavor.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until the dough just comes together. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
5. Chill the Dough
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
6. Roll and Cut Out Shapes
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out festive tree shapes.
7. Bake the Cookies
- Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The center of the cookies should remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
8. Decorate the Cookies
- Once cooled, decorate each cookie with green icing to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Add sprinkles or candy stars to give the trees a touch of sparkle and holiday cheer.
Flavor and Texture
These cookies offer a delightful combination of flavors: the rich cocoa powder provides depth, while the red velvet cake mix adds a soft and tender crumb with a hint of vanilla. The green icing provides a sweet contrast, while the sprinkles or candy stars add both texture and a festive touch. Each bite is a burst of holiday goodness that’s both visually appealing and deliciously satisfying.
Tips for Success
- Dough Consistency:
- If the dough feels too soft or sticky to roll, you can refrigerate it a little longer or lightly flour your rolling pin.
- Icing Tip:
- For a smoother application of the green icing, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This will make it easier to spread on the cookies.
- Customizing Decorations:
- Get creative with your decorations! You can use mini chocolate chips for ornaments or crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
- Storage:
- These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the undecorated cookies and ice them when you’re ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday Cookie Platters: Include these Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies alongside other festive favorites like gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and shortbread.
- Giftable Treats: Package them in decorative gift boxes or clear bags with a festive ribbon for a charming homemade holiday gift.
- Cookie Decorating Party: Host a fun cookie decorating party where guests can personalize their own Christmas tree cookies with different sprinkles and icing colors.
Final Thoughts
These Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. Their soft, tender texture, combined with the festive decorations, makes them the perfect treat to share with loved ones during the Christmas season. The vibrant red hue, green icing, and sparkling decorations will surely make these cookies a showstopper on any dessert table.
Bake up a batch, gather your family, and enjoy a deliciously sweet holiday tradition with these fun and festive cookies! 🎄🍪