There’s something especially magical about baking during the holidays — the soft glow of twinkle lights, the scent of butter and spice in the air, and a kitchen that feels a little more joyful than usual. These Cinnamon Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies capture all of that holiday spirit in one beautiful, buttery bite.
The base is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread dough, gently spiced with cinnamon for warmth and depth. Not too sweet, not too crisp — just perfectly balanced, with a richness that makes these cookies feel both nostalgic and special. As they bake, the kitchen fills with that unmistakable holiday aroma: butter, sugar, and spice mingling together in the most comforting way.
Once cooled, the cookies become little canvases for creativity. A soft powdered sugar and vanilla icing is spread generously over each tree, creating a snowy backdrop that feels straight out of a winter wonderland. From there, the decorating begins — some cookies dressed in elegant silver and white, shimmering and timeless, while others sparkle in playful pink, green, and white icing, bringing a cheerful pop of color to the platter.
What we love most about these cookies is how they invite you to slow down and enjoy the moment. They’re perfect for baking with kids, hosting a cookie-decorating afternoon with friends, or packaging up as homemade gifts tied with twine and a sprig of rosemary. Each one is unique, a little imperfect, and completely charming — just the way holiday baking should be.
Serve them alongside a mug of hot cocoa or coffee, tuck them into cookie tins for gifting, or display them proudly on your holiday dessert table. These cinnamon shortbread Christmas tree cookies aren’t just a treat — they’re a celebration of the season, made sweeter by creativity, tradition, and a little sparkle.
Cinnamon Shortbread Christmas Cookies
Equipment
- Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKXLW54R?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
- edible silver shimmer glitter or shimmer dust, sparkles, sprinkles, sugars and edible metallic silver paint (can purchase on Amazon, Michael’s or Hobby Lobby)
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (8 oz. or 2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Royal Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar (+/-) as needed
- 3 tsp. milk or cream (+/-) as needed
- 1 tbsp. vanilla powder (Cook’s Pure Vanilla Powder is what I use)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with powdered sugar until creamy. Add cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and mix well. Finally, blend in flour. Form dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, or until fairly firm.
- Roll dough out onto a floured cloth or board, to a thickness of approximately 1/4-inch. Cut out with Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutters and place onto the prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until slightly browned on edges.
- Cool completely. Once cooled, spread icing on top of cookie using an off-set spatula and add sprinkles right away while icing is still soft. If you want to use teh paint, then wait until the icing has hardened before painting with your edible paint using a decorating paintbrush.
Vanilla Icing
- Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well to blend until smooth.
- Tint with food coloring, if desired. (If you don’t use the frosting right away, cover completely either with plastic wrap or a damp towel over the top of the bowl, so it does not dry out.
