Description
These Red Velvet Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies combine the classic flavor of red velvet with creamy green-tinted cream cheese frosting for a festive, elegant holiday treat. Soft, rich, and beautifully decorated with gold stars and nonpareils, these cookies are perfect for Christmas gatherings or as edible gifts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- 2 sticks (1 cup) plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar (divided)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or paste (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon green gel food coloring
- Small edible sugar gold stars
- Red, green, and white nonpareils
Instructions
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, cream 1 cup butter with 2 cups confectioners’ sugar until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl.
- Add egg, condensed milk, red gel food coloring, and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until smooth.
- Add the dry mixture and mix on low until dough forms. Drizzle in vinegar and mix until just combined.
- Divide dough in half. Roll each portion between parchment to 1/4-inch thickness. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Cut with a 3 3/4-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter. Use a smaller 1 3/4-inch cutter to remove centers from half the cookies.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake 8–10 minutes until matte and slightly puffed. Cool completely.
- In a clean bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining 4 tablespoons butter until smooth. Add 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix until smooth, then tint with green gel coloring.
- Spread 1 tablespoon frosting on uncut cookies. Top with cut-out cookies to sandwich.
- Add a dot of frosting on each tree tip, attach a gold star, and sprinkle nonpareils in the center window.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or enjoy freshly assembled.
Notes
- Chill the dough well to maintain shape and prevent spreading.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender.
- For natural coloring, substitute beetroot powder for red gel food dye.
- Dough can be made up to two days ahead and refrigerated.
- Cookies taste even better after resting overnight as flavors deepen.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Red Velvet Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies, red velvet cookies, Christmas dessert, holiday baking, cream cheese frosting, festive cookies, Linzer sandwich cookies, red velvet treats