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Martha Stewart’s Sugar Cookie Trees

Martha Stewart’s Sugar Cookie Trees are the perfect festive treat to brighten up your holiday season. These charming cookies not only look stunning with their colorful icing and sprinkles but also deliver a delightful crunch and sweetness in every bite. Ideal for family gatherings, parties, or simply indulging in a sweet moment, these cookie trees are sure to become a cherished holiday tradition. With foolproof techniques, even novice bakers can achieve professional-quality results that will impress everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Royal icing ingredients: 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 egg whites
  • Food coloring & sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. Beat in eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
  6. Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Use tree-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place on lined baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating with royal icing and optional sprinkles.

Nutrition

Keywords: For varied flavors, substitute vanilla extract with almond extract. Chill dough for optimal shape retention while baking. Feel free to use any cookie cutter shape you like—just adjust the baking time as needed.