3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Name: 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Cup salted butter, at room temperature; 1 Cup granulated sugar; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 Teaspoon almond extract; 1 egg; 3 Cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling; 1 ¼ Teaspoons baking powder; ¼ Teaspoon salt; ½ Cup salted butter, softened; 4 Cups powdered sugar; ¼ Cup heavy cream; ¼ Teaspoon salt; ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ Teaspoon almond extract; food coloring, forest green; candy melts, white; sprinkles, white crystal shimmer

By:

Sarah

Published:

November 15, 2025

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These 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are a delightful way to bring holiday cheer into your kitchen this season! Imagine the scent of buttery sweetness wafting through your home as you whip up a batch. Making these cookies isn’t just about enjoying tasty treats but also about the joy of decorating and the creativity involved in assembly. Picture yourself stacking shimmering green stars, each layer brimming with bright frosting and whimsical candy decorations. It’s an enjoyable way to craft wonderful memories with family or friends, and I promise, the smiles these cookies bring are priceless! Plus, they make a stunning centerpiece on any holiday table. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s transform some simple ingredients into festive 3D masterpieces. You’re going to love the cheerful atmosphere these cookies create!

Why This Recipe Works

3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies bring the joy of holiday baking to life by combining visual appeal with delicious taste. The soft sugar cookie base pairs perfectly with a rich, creamy frosting, while the festive candy accents add both texture and joy to the experience. Each layer of these cookies is not only stacked with flavor but also decorated with a playful twist that keeps the holiday spirit alive. It’s all about creating something beautiful and tasty that everyone will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

These cookies not only delight the taste buds but also create memorable holiday moments. With a fun assembly and a festive finish, these 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are sure to become a family favorite, suitable for gatherings, gifts, or simply expressing your holiday spirit. Imagine the joy on your loved ones’ faces as they take a bite of these sugary trees! They are perfect for everything from neighbor gifts to party treats, making them a versatile addition to your holiday traditions.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies

1 Cup salted butter, at room temperature
1 Cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 Teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
3 Cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 ¼ Teaspoons baking powder
¼ Teaspoon salt

For the Frosting

½ Cup salted butter, softened
4 Cups powdered sugar
¼ Cup heavy cream
¼ Teaspoon salt
½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ Teaspoon almond extract
food coloring, forest green

For the Decorations

candy melts, white
sprinkles, white crystal shimmer

Preparing the Sugar Cookies

Make the Cookies

Let’s get started by making our cookie dough! In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the sugar and butter using a paddle attachment. You want everything to mix until it’s light and fluffy, which takes about 4 to 5 minutes of high-speed beating. Next, add in the vanilla and almond extracts along with the egg. Once that’s well combined, gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt on medium-low speed until just combined.

Now, it’s time to shape our dough. Transfer half of the dough into a ball and set it aside. On a floured surface, roll out the remaining dough to about ¼ to ⅜-inch thick. Use star cookie cutters of various sizes to cut out the stars. Remember to place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, ensuring the smaller stars are in the center and the larger ones surround them to prevent overbaking.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes. You want your cookies to come out very light without any golden edges. Once they’re baked, allow them to cool completely before decorating.

Make the Frosting

Next up, let’s whip up some frosting! In a clean stand mixer, beat the softened butter with half of the powdered sugar until it’s smooth. Gradually add in the remaining powdered sugar along with the heavy cream, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Mix it all together until fluffy.

If you find your frosting too thick, don’t worry! Just add more cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach that desired consistency. Once that’s done, mix in some forest green food coloring to give it that vibrant holiday look. Finally, transfer your beautiful frosting into a piping bag fitted with a small star tip.

Prepare the Stars

While your cookies cool, let’s prepare the candy decorations! Melt the white candy coating in a heat-safe dish. Fill small star molds with the melted candy coating up to about ¼-inch deep — remember, thin stars help them sit properly on the 3D trees. Give the molds a gentle shake to eliminate any air bubbles, then sprinkle the tops with white shimmer sprinkles. Set them aside to let cool completely.

Assemble the Sugar Cookies

Now comes the fun part: assembling! Start by piping small stars along the edges of each cookie to cover all the points, filling the center with a generous blob of frosting. Stack those cookies, placing the largest star at the bottom and the smallest at the top. To finish, place the white candy star atop the tallest cookie. Once assembled, refrigerate the cookies briefly to help them set and become sturdy. For an extra touch, dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

Serving Suggestions

These 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are delightful all on their own, but they pair beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or festive spiced tea. They also make a wonderful centerpiece for holiday gatherings! Whether at a family dinner or a festive party, these cookies add a sparkle of holiday charm wherever they go.

Tips for Success

Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing.
Use various sizes of star cutters for a more dynamic 3D effect.
Chill cookies after assembly to help them set firm for stacking.

Variations

Feel free to get creative! Try using different colored food dyes to create multi-colored trees that pop. You could also experiment with flavored extracts in the frosting, like peppermint or lemon, for a unique twist. If you want a little extra sparkle, incorporating additional edible glitter can bring an enchanting shine to your cookies.

Storage Tips

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be enjoyed for up to one week, making them perfect for holiday gifting.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough a day in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.

2. How can I achieve a thicker frosting?
Add more powdered sugar gradually until you reach your desired thickness for piping.

3. Can I use a different frosting?
Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting or royal icing can also work well with these cookies.

4. Is it necessary to chill the cookies after stacking?
Chilling helps the structure of the cookies set better, which makes them easier to handle and serve later.

5. What’s the best way to store leftover cookies?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few days, keeping them fresh and delicious.

These 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are not just a treat for the palate but also for the eyes, combining creativity and flavor in each bite. They encapsulate the essence of the holiday spirit, making them a perfect addition to any festive gathering or cozy family night. Enjoy the magic of baking, and share these delightful cookies with loved ones!