Create a magical forest of edible evergreen trees with these beautifully decorated cookies. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or adding a touch of sparkle to your holiday celebrations!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (optional)
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
For the Royal Icing:
4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
3 tbsp meringue powder
5-6 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
Gel food coloring: green and white
White star sprinkles or edible pearls
Optional: edible glitter for sparkle
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookies
Preheat the Oven:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar:In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients:Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients:In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Roll and Cut:Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness. Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
Bake:Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 2: Decorate the Cookies
Prepare Royal Icing:In a large mixing bowl, beat together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water on low speed. Mix until stiff peaks form (5–7 minutes).
Divide and Tint Icing:Color one portion green for the tree base.
Leave the other portion white for snow details.
Decorate the Base Layer:Using a piping bag, outline and flood the tree cookies with green icing. Allow to set for 1–2 hours before adding details.
Add Snowy Swirls and Decorations:Use white icing to pipe snow swirls on the trees.
While the icing is wet, place white star sprinkles or edible pearls as ornaments.
Pipe white icing at the base of the tree to create a snowy ground effect.
Optional Sparkle:Dust lightly with edible glitter for a shimmering snowy finish.
Dry Completely:Let the decorated cookies dry for several hours (or overnight) until the icing is firm to the touch.
Details
Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling and decorating)
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Decorating Time: 1–2 hours
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: ~120 per cookie
Tips for Success
Chill the Dough: Chilling helps maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.
Consistent Icing: For smooth decorations, ensure the icing is not too runny or too stiff. Adjust with small amounts of water or powdered sugar.
Store Properly: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
These Snowy Evergreen Tree Cookies will transport you to a festive winter wonderland with every bite. Perfect for sharing holiday cheer with loved ones! 
