These Gingerbread Tree Cookies are a delightful and festive addition to your holiday baking. With their spiced flavor, soft yet chewy texture, and decorative appeal, they’re perfect for gifting or decorating your Christmas table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Look: Shaped like trees and decorated with icing, these cookies are a visual treat.
Spiced Flavor: Classic gingerbread spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves shine through.
Fun to Make: A great activity to do with kids or loved ones.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

Unsalted butter: Adds a rich, creamy texture.
Brown sugar: Sweetens and deepens the flavor.
Molasses: For that classic gingerbread taste and soft texture.
Egg: Helps bind the dough together.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough.
Baking soda: Gives the cookies a slight rise.
Ground ginger: The key spice in gingerbread cookies.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and sweetness.
Ground cloves: Provides a touch of holiday aroma.
Salt: Balances the sweetness.

Icing and Decorations

Powdered sugar: The base for the icing.
Milk: For a smooth icing consistency.
Vanilla extract: Adds flavor to the icing.
Food coloring: Green and other festive colors to decorate the trees.
Sprinkles: For added festive flair.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll and Cut

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use tree-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are firm and slightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Decorate

In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the icing. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
Divide the icing into small bowls and add food coloring as desired.
Use piping bags or zip-top bags with a small tip cut off to decorate the cookies. Add sprinkles while the icing is still wet.

Tips for Success

Chill the Dough: This prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Even Rolling: Use rolling pin rings or guides to ensure even thickness.
Decorate Creatively: Have fun with patterns, colors, and sprinkles!

Nutrition Facts (per cookie)

Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 55mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 12g
Protein: 1g

FAQ

Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A1: Yes, the dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Q2: Can I use gluten-free flour?
A2: Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for similar results.

Q3: How do I store these cookies?
A3: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Q4: Can I use different shapes for the cookies?
A4: Yes, feel free to use any cookie cutters you like!

Q5: Can I make these vegan?
A5: Substitute butter with vegan butter, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water), and ensure the decorations are vegan-friendly.

Q6: Can I skip the molasses?
A6: Molasses is key for the gingerbread flavor, but you can substitute with dark corn syrup or maple syrup in a pinch.

Q7: What’s the best way to achieve intricate decorations?
A7: Use fine-tipped piping bags or squeeze bottles for precision. Let each layer of icing dry before adding details.

Q8: Can I freeze the decorated cookies?
A8: Yes, freeze them in a single layer before stacking to preserve the decorations.

Q9: How can I make the cookies softer?
A9: Slightly underbake the cookies and store them with a slice of bread in the container to maintain softness.

Q10: Can I double the recipe?
A10: Definitely! This recipe doubles easily to make more cookies for sharing or gifting.

Enjoy crafting these Gingerbread Tree Cookies, and make your holiday season even sweeter!