Name: Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 33 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ cup softened unsalted butter; ⅔ cup granulated sugar; 2 egg yolks; 2 tablespoons sour cream; 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional); 1 (8-ounce) block softened cream cheese; ½ cup softened unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 4 cups powdered sugar

If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that not only looks adorable but tastes absolutely dreamy, you’re in the right spot! I’m so excited to share my Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe—this one’s a real showstopper. These cookies have the perfect tender crumb and that tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting that just makes everything pop. Seriously, my family goes crazy for these every holiday season, and I have a feeling you’ll love them just as much.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Texture: The cookies are tender yet sturdy enough to hold their shape, which makes decorating a breeze.
Delicious Cream Cheese Frosting: It’s tangy, smooth, and sweet—so good you might want to eat it by the spoonful!
Family Favorite: These cookies never last long at holiday gatherings, so get ready for lots of compliments.
Easy to Customize: You can swap up the extracts and decorations to fit your style or pantry.

A Christmas tree-shaped cookie with a base layer of light tan cookie, covered by a thick layer of textured green frosting that resembles pine needles. The tree is decorated with a string of smooth black icing representing garland wrapped diagonally across, dotted with small round candy lights in red, yellow, blue, and orange colors. At the top of the tree is a small yellow star made from icing. The cookie lies on a white marbled surface, with small round red, green, and other colorful sprinkles scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting, festive holiday cookies, Christmas cookie decorating ideas, easy Christmas sugar cookies, holiday treat recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe starts with simple pantry staples that come together beautifully. I always recommend using real butter and fresh vanilla extract—your taste buds will thank you! Here’s a quick rundown on what you’ll want to have on hand and some little tips for each.

Flat lay of a mound of fine white all-purpose flour, a small pile of granulated sugar crystals, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a softened pale yellow block of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of thick white sour cream, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl with pale lemon extract, a small white bowl of fine white powdered sugar, and a block of smooth cream cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting, festive holiday cookies, Christmas cookie decorating ideas, easy Christmas sugar cookies, holiday treat recipes

All-purpose flour: This gives the cookies structure without making them tough; make sure it’s fresh for the fluffiest results.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for that soft texture.
Unsalted butter: Always softened to room temp for easy mixing and the best flavor.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and a slight crisp to the cookie edges.
Egg yolks: They add richness and help the dough bind beautifully.
Sour cream: This keeps the cookies moist and adds a subtle tang.
Vanilla extract: A must-have for that warm, comforting scent and flavor.
Lemon extract (optional): I like to add a little brightness here, but if you prefer, you can skip it for classic vanilla vibes.
Cream cheese (for frosting): Make sure it’s softened—this is the star of the frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe to keep things interesting—something about holiday baking is perfect for a little experimentation. Here are some of my favorite ways to personalize it that you might want to try out.

Gluten-Free Version: I swapped in a gluten-free flour blend once and was thrilled how well the dough held up—just be sure to chill it a bit longer before rolling.
Extract Variations: Try almond or orange extract for a fun twist that adds a new layer of flavor; my grandma’s favorite is orange!
Decorating Fun: Add edible glitter or colorful sprinkles on top of the frosting—kids absolutely adore helping with this!
Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter and a flax egg, and skip the cream cheese frosting for a dairy-free glaze made from powdered sugar and dairy-free milk.

How to Make Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (you’ll want it nice and ready by the time your dough is shaped). In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder until evenly combined. This step is key because it ensures every cookie has the same great texture, no matter which piece you bite into.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat your softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this can take 2-3 minutes if you’re using a hand mixer. I discovered this trick early on: don’t rush this step because it incorporates air, which means lighter cookies.

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Flavors

Next, mix in the egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla extract, and optional lemon extract. Blend until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix here—you want to keep that dough tender.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the flour mixture into your butter mix, stirring gently until the dough just comes together. Overworking it can lead to tougher cookies, so I always stop mixing once I no longer see dry flour.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut Shapes

Divide the dough into 2 or 3 parts to make it easier to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece at a time to about ¼ inch thickness. Then press your Christmas tree cookie cutter into the dough, wiggle a bit, and lift to reveal perfectly shaped trees. I love using these festive cutters because they make the cookies instantly holiday-ready.

Don’t toss those scraps—press them together lightly, rest them for 5 minutes to relax, then roll and cut again. This helps keep the dough from becoming too tough.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange the cookies at least 1 ½ inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 7-8 minutes, but here’s my secret: rotate the pans halfway through at about 4 minutes for even baking. The cookies should look set but still very pale—the edges will barely brown. This ensures they stay tender rather than turning crisp or golden.

Step 7: Cool and Frost

Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack—that little bit of cooling time helps them firm up without breaking. Once completely cool, you’re ready for the fun part: frosting!

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Using a stand mixer or a sturdy hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese with butter until silky smooth. Scrape down the sides and beat briefly again to blend well. Add vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar gradually. Start mixing on low to avoid powdered sugar flying everywhere, then increase speed until smooth, velvety frosting forms. If you want, divide and tint with gel food colors for decorating your Christmas trees!

Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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Keep Butter Soft but Not Melted: I learned that butter that’s too warm creates greasy dough—soft, but cool is perfect.
Rotate Your Pans: Ovens heat unevenly, so flipping your cookie sheets halfway makes sure all trees bake evenly without burnt edges.
Don’t Skip the Rest Period for Scraps: Letting dough rest before re-rolling prevents the cookies from shrinking or toughening up.
Use Gel Food Coloring for Frosting: It keeps colors vibrant without watering down the frosting like liquid dyes tend to do.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows a Christmas tree-shaped cookie on a white marbled surface. The cookie has three layers of light green frosting with a textured, wavy pattern, forming the branches. The top layer is decorated with a small yellow star. There are small candy cane shapes in red and white, silver balls, and green holly leaves with red dots spread evenly across the frosting. Around the cookie, there are small candy decorations, some shaped like stars and dots, and a few sprigs of rosemary on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting, festive holiday cookies, Christmas cookie decorating ideas, easy Christmas sugar cookies, holiday treat recipes

Garnishes

For garnishes, I like sprinkling tiny edible pearls and festive red and green sanding sugars on top of the frosting—it adds sparkle and texture that really make the cookies pop. Miniature candies or nonpareils also work wonderfully if you want a pop of color and fun crunch.

Side Dishes

These Christmas tree cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa, mulled cider, or even spiced tea. When I serve these at holiday parties, I like to set them beside a cheese board or alongside other festive sweets to keep the holiday cheer flowing.

Creative Ways to Present

When hosting, I love arranging the cookies on rustic wooden platters or tiered trays with some pine sprigs and fairy lights around for extra holiday magic. For gifting, wrapping a stack in cellophane tied with a ribbon and a sprig of rosemary turns them into the most charming presents.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature between layers of parchment paper to keep them fresh and prevent sticking. They usually last about 4-5 days this way, still soft and delicious.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these cookies freeze wonderfully! I freeze them unfrosted by placing the cut dough shapes on a baking sheet, flash-freezing, then transferring into a freezer bag. For frosted cookies, freeze fully decorated ones on a tray, then wrap carefully. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Since these are cookies, reheating isn’t usually necessary, but if you want a fresher-baked feel, pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes wrapped loosely with foil to warm without melting the frosting. This revives the tender texture.

FAQs

Can I use all egg instead of just yolks in the Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?

Great question! The recipe uses only egg yolks because they add richness and tenderness. Using whole eggs might make the dough slightly firmer and less delicate, but you can try it if you don’t have extra yolks—just know the texture will be subtly different.
How do I prevent my Christmas tree cookies from spreading too much in the oven?

To avoid spreading, make sure to chill the dough slightly if it feels too soft before cutting, and use parchment paper or silicone mats for baking. Also, don’t overcream the butter and sugar, which can introduce too much air and cause spreading.
Can I prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight?

Absolutely! Refrigerating the dough overnight helps deepen flavors and firms it up for easier rolling and cutting. Just bring it to room temperature for a few minutes before rolling out.
What’s the best way to color the cream cheese frosting?

Using gel food coloring is your best bet because it won’t change the frosting’s consistency, and you get bright, vibrant hues perfect for decorating those Christmas tree shapes.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe turns out every single year—it brings a little sparkle and sweetness to my holidays that feels truly special. Baking these with loved ones, decorating them, and sharing the final product is such a joyful tradition I hope you start too. Trust me, once you try these tender, flavorful cookies topped with that luscious cream cheese frosting, you’ll keep coming back to this recipe year after year. So roll up your sleeves and get cozy—it’s cookie time!