Christmas Tree Cookies

MAKES: 30

COOK TIME: 18 Min

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday cookie recipe to make your cookie platter extra festive, this is it. Not only do these look amazing, they’re fun to make and when it comes to the taste … get ready for a burst of peppermint that is holiday-special.

What You'll Need

1 stick butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
18 think pretzel sticks, cut in half
Assorted holiday decorating sugars, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and candy stars
PEPPERMINT FROSTING
1 stick butter, softened
4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

What to Do

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with foil and coat with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, beat together 1 stick butter, the granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar until creamy. Add egg, sour cream, and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour, baking powder, and salt until dough comes together.
Press dough evenly into baking dish. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until golden. Let cool.
To make Peppermint Frosting, beat together 1 stick butter and the cream cheese until creamy. Gradually beat in 3-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar and the peppermint extract until smooth.
Remove foil from baked dough and place on cutting board. Trim edges on all sides. Spread frosting evenly over top. Cut in thirds lengthwise, then cut each strip into triangles. Decorate immediately before frosting hardens. (See photo.) Insert pretzel stick into bottom of each cookie tree as shown.