Holiday Tree Sugar Cookies

Featured in Desserts.

This is such a fun baking idea! Done in around 90 minutes. Tree shapes give major festive vibes, and the buttercream holds all the sprinkles perfectly. Made this for a party, and everyone ate them up. Perfect way to elevate simple cookies.
A woman wearing an apron and smiling.
Updated on Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:07:10 GMT
Tree-shaped sugar cookies with white frosting, colorful sprinkles, and chocolate pieces on a plate. Pin it
Tree-shaped sugar cookies with white frosting, colorful sprinkles, and chocolate pieces on a plate. | tasteofmoms.com

Our family can't get enough of these gluten free Christmas tree cookies during the holidays. I've tweaked and played with this recipe for many years, finally nailing this version that fools everyone - nobody ever guesses they're gluten free! Using a cookie cake foundation makes shaping and decorating so simple, giving you cute little Christmas trees that taste just as good as they look festive.

The Holiday Treat Revolution

I love bringing my gluten free Christmas trees to parties during the season. Watching people's faces light up when they spot these cute treats always makes me smile. The best part? Their shocked expressions when they find out there's no gluten! The cookie cake approach makes them super easy to make, and that smooth buttercream is the perfect way to top them off.

Your Shopping List

  • Gluten-Free Flour: I've had great success with Bob's Red Mill.
  • Butter: Make sure it's softened to room temp.
  • Brown Sugar: Gives these cookies their rich flavor.
  • Eggs: Should be room temperature and fresh.
  • Chocolate Chips: Pick whatever brand you enjoy.
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Creates that smooth frosting texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: The clear kind keeps your frosting white.
  • Sprinkles: All your favorite holiday decorations.

Baking Time

Blend Everything Together
Mix your ingredients until they come together just right.
Form Your Foundation
Even spreading makes for picture-perfect trees later.
Cut Carefully
Those triangle shapes will turn into wonderful trees.
Get Creative
Express yourself with colorful frosting and sparkly extras.

Suitable For All Guests

You can easily tweak these gluten free Christmas tree cookies for other food restrictions too. Swap in some dairy-free options and everyone can join the fun. They'll taste just as yummy and nobody will spot any difference.

Storage Tips

When you store these Christmas tree cookies right, they'll stay yummy and pretty for several days. They're perfect for gifting in cute containers or showing off on your holiday sweet table. Just remember to let them warm up a bit before eating to get that nice soft cookie feel.

A decorative plate holds three Christmas tree-shaped cookies adorned with white icing, dark chocolate chips, and green holly leaves. Pin it
A decorative plate holds three Christmas tree-shaped cookies adorned with white icing, dark chocolate chips, and green holly leaves. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a premade mix?
Definitely! Gluten-free premade cookie mixes like Pillsbury or King Arthur's work great in this recipe.
→ Can it be dairy-free?
Sure! Swap butter for vegan options like Earth Balance or Miyokos. Use oat or cashew milk, and grab dairy-free chocolate chips like Hu Kitchen.
→ Can I swap gluten-free flours?
Stick to Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. Swaps like almond or coconut flour won't work the same.
→ How do I store these treats?
Pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for three months. Thaw before serving.
→ Why use clear vanilla?
Clear vanilla keeps the frosting snowy white. Normal vanilla works but might give a slight tint.

Holiday Tree Sugar Cookies

Soft cookie dough cut into cute tree shapes, finished with vanilla frosting, sparky sprinkles, and edible glitter. Brings joy to holiday gatherings.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 tree-shaped cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 cups of gluten-free flour (like Bob's Red Mill 1:1).
02 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter.
03 3/4 cup of packed light brown sugar.
04 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
05 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
06 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
07 1 teaspoon of cornstarch.
08 1 whole egg plus one extra yolk.
09 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
10 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips.
11 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened salted butter.
12 4 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.
13 2 teaspoons of clear vanilla.
14 2-4 tablespoons of milk or cream to adjust consistency.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a round cake pan. Stir together flour, salt, cornstarch, and baking soda in a bowl.

Step 02

Whisk butter and both sugars until smooth and fluffy. Stir in eggs and vanilla, then mix in the dry ingredients bit by bit. Toss the chocolate chips last.

Step 03

Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake it around 20-25 minutes until it’s browned nicely on top. Let it cool fully before cutting into 8 wedges.

Step 04

Blend butter until it's super soft and creamy. Slowly work in the sugar while mixing. Add vanilla and thin it out a little with milk to get the right texture.

Step 05

Pipe stripes of buttercream frosting onto each cookie wedge. Swipe the frosting down gently with a spatula. Top with sprinkles and place a star at the top.

Notes

  1. A boxed gluten-free cookie mix can work here.
  2. Swap ingredients to make it dairy-free, if needed.
  3. It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Round cake pan.
  • Frosting bags.
  • Small offset spatula.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 727
  • Total Fat: 47 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 147 g
  • Protein: 4 g