Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Just one look, that's all it took....

Just one look, that's all it took...

Just one look, that's all it took...

and I knew I would be making these darling, little Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies mine!  

Cathy at Wives with Knives posted the cutest little Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies this week.  There wasn't a question about whether or not I would be making them.  She posted Sunday.  I made them Monday!  I was really excited to give them a try but it was a change from the usual cookie cutter sugar cookies.  Change doesn't always come without question....When I mentioned the change, my daughter's face told the story..."no frosting!?  Well, I hope they are going to be sweet!"  Hmmm...me too!

I compared my sugar cookie recipe to Cathy's and noticed only two slight differences.  She used 1/4 cup of sugar more than me, she used baking soda, and a different baking temperature and time.  So, after mixing it about in my mind for a few minutes I decided to increase the sugar on my recipe and I adjusted the baking temperature and time.

The process is one of dividing the dough and adding color.  Then the dough is layered in a loaf pan which is lined with parchment.  One thing to remember is that the depth of the layers will equal the size of the cookies. Cathy explains the process in detail, here.  A quarter inch slice is taken from the slab of dough.  Triangles are then cut from the slice.  A red base is added to each triangle tree.

They are then dipped into sanding sugar and baked.

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven:  375°
Bake time:  7-9 minutes

3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, (2 sticks) at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp cream/milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Sift flour with baking powder and salt and set aside.

Cream butter, gradually add sugar, creaming well.  Stir in egg, cream, and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients.  Chill if necessary.

Divide dough in half. Add green food coloring to one of the halves.  Blend well.
Divide the second half into two parts.  Leave one part plain.  Add red food coloring to the other and blend well.  Use enough food coloring to make vibrant colors.  The colors tend to fade during baking.

Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake the cookies at 375° for 7-9 minutes.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

The cookies are heavenly little morsels that are fun to make and a great addition to Christmas cookie platter!

I am sending this over to Michael at Designs by Gollum for the weekly Foodie Friday!  

Thank you for being such a gracious hostess, Michael!