Description
Minty Christmas Tree Cutout Cookies are festive, buttery treats infused with peppermint flavor and topped with green royal icing. Perfect for the holidays, these cookies hold their shape beautifully and bring a refreshing twist to traditional Christmas sugar cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour – provides structure and a tender crumb
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda – helps cookies bake evenly
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt – balances sweetness
- 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature – adds richness
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – sweetens and gives a light crunch
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar – keeps texture smooth and tender
- 1 large egg – binds ingredients together
- 1 teaspoon pure mint or peppermint extract – adds signature minty flavor
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – adds warmth and depth
- 8 ounces (about 1 2/3 cups) confectioners’ sugar (for icing) – base for royal icing
- 1/4 cup meringue powder – stabilizes the icing
- 2 tablespoons green food coloring – for festive tree color
- 20 drops red food coloring – deepens the green hue
- 48 mini nonpareil-covered chocolate candies – for decoration
- White nonpareils – to resemble snowflakes
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, mix mint and vanilla extracts with the egg.
- Beat butter, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar together until creamy and smooth.
- Slowly add the egg mixture to the butter mixture, then incorporate the flour blend in two additions until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough into two equal portions, flatten into squares, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out one dough portion on floured parchment to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out Christmas tree shapes using a 2-inch cutter.
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Freeze for 10 minutes to maintain shape.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges turn light golden brown. Cool on racks completely.
- For icing, beat confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 3 tablespoons water until thick and glossy. Add green and red coloring to create a deep green hue.
- Pipe icing in zigzag patterns to resemble garlands, add chocolate nonpareils as ornaments, and sprinkle white nonpareils for snow. Let set for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Chilling dough ensures the cookies hold their shape.
- Do not overmix after adding flour to prevent toughness.
- If icing becomes bubbly, let it rest before using.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 6 hr
- Cook Time: 1 hr 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Minty Christmas Tree Cutout Cookies, peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas sugar cookies, royal icing cookies, festive desserts, mint cookies