SAVE RECIPE

The holiday season is a time for delicious treats and festive baking, and nothing brings out the joy of Christmas quite like a batch of vibrant, cheerful Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies. These cookies are not only a visual delight, but their rich red velvet flavor, paired with a creamy cream cheese frosting, makes them a perfect dessert for your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, sending gifts to loved ones, or simply looking to add a festive touch to your dessert table, these Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies will add color, flavor, and a touch of holiday cheer to any occasion.

These cookies are easy to make, customizable, and deliciously decadent. Let’s explore how to create these beautiful cookies that will undoubtedly impress your guests and become a seasonal favorite!

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Ingredients Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies

To make your own Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk if needed)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)

For Decorating:

• Green sprinkles or edible glitter (for the tree’s greenery)
• Red and white sprinkles, edible pearls, or mini candy canes (for ornaments and tree decorations)
• Mini chocolate chips or M&Ms (optional, for adding more colorful touches)

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Preparation Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies

Here’s how you can create these festive Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies:

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Next, beat in the egg, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until fully combined. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Red velvet cookie dough can be a bit sticky, so to make it easier to roll out, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This step will help the dough firm up, making it easier to cut out shapes and handle.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough is chilled, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter (or any other festive cutter of your choice) to cut out Christmas tree shapes. Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch of space between each cookie.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Frosting & Decorate

While the cookies are cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and milk as needed to achieve a smooth and spreadable consistency.

Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top of each cookie using a small offset spatula or butter knife. For added texture, you can pipe the frosting into the shape of tree branches or swirls to resemble tree decorations.

Decorate the cookies with green sprinkles or edible glitter to mimic the greenery of the Christmas tree. Add red and white sprinkles, edible pearls, or mini candy canes to create the appearance of ornaments. You can also use mini chocolate chips or M&Ms to make the decorations more festive.

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Variation

While Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are delicious on their own, you can also experiment with different variations to make them even more festive or to suit different tastes:

1. Flavor Variations: If you’re not a fan of cream cheese frosting, you can substitute with regular buttercream or even white chocolate ganache for a different flavor profile.
2. Add Nuts: For a bit of crunch, add finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough, which will provide a delicious contrast to the soft texture of the cookies.
3. Cookie Cutter Variations: Instead of Christmas tree shapes, use other holiday-themed cutters such as stars, reindeer, or snowflakes to create a variety of festive shapes. This can also be a fun activity to do with kids.
4. Chocolate Dipped Trees: After frosting, dip the bottom of each cookie into melted chocolate for an extra decadent touch. Let the chocolate harden before serving.
5. Non-Vegan Option: For a vegan twist, try using a plant-based butter substitute and non-dairy cream cheese in place of the regular butter and cream cheese.

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COOKING Note:

• If you prefer softer cookies, be sure to avoid over-baking them. Red velvet cookies should stay soft and chewy in the middle, with a slightly crisp edge.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, regular milk will work as a substitute, though buttermilk adds a slight tang that complements the richness of the red velvet flavor.
• When frosting the cookies, make sure they are completely cooled to avoid melting the frosting or having it slide off the warm cookie surface.
• For a more uniform color, use gel-based red food coloring rather than liquid, as it produces a more vibrant and consistent result.

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Serving Suggestions:

These Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are perfect for a variety of occasions:

1. Christmas Cookie Platters: Serve these beautiful cookies alongside other holiday favorites like gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and peppermint bark for a festive cookie exchange or party platter.
2. Gift Giving: Package the cookies in clear gift bags or decorative boxes tied with a festive ribbon to give as gifts. They make a wonderful treat for friends, family, or neighbors during the holiday season.
3. Holiday Dessert Table: Add these cookies to your holiday dessert spread, placing them near hot cocoa or other warm drinks for an extra special touch.
4. For Kids’ Parties: Kids will love decorating these cookies with frosting and sprinkles, making them a fun and interactive activity for a holiday party.

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Tips:

• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough not only makes it easier to work with but also helps the cookies retain their shape during baking.
• Consistent Frosting: If you’re piping frosting, use a piping bag with a small round tip to create delicate details like garlands or tinsel on the tree cookies.
• Make Ahead: These cookies can be made ahead of time. You can freeze the dough before baking or freeze the baked cookies (without frosting) for up to 3 months.

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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes

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Nutritional Information (per cookie):

• Calories: 180 kcal
• Protein: 1g
• Sodium: 85mg
• Total Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 15g

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FAQs

1. Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough before rolling it out. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the fridge for a few hours before rolling out and cutting shapes.
2. How can I store leftover cookies? Store your Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’ve used cream cheese frosting, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
3. Can I use different colors of food coloring? Yes, feel free to use other colors of food coloring to make different variations of these cookies for different holidays or occasions. Blue, green, or even pink could work beautifully for different themes.

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Conclusion

Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies are an ideal treat to bake and share with friends and family during the holiday season. Their vibrant color and delicious flavor make them stand out on any dessert table, and their rich, creamy frosting ensures that every bite is pure indulgence. Whether you’re baking for a special event, gifting them to loved ones, or just enjoying a sweet treat with a warm cup of cocoa, these cookies are sure to bring joy and holiday cheer to all. Happy baking, and enjoy the festive season!