Christmas Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas Christmas Tree

This guide will show you how to make your own Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing. Decorating Christmas cookies is much easier than you think, plus there's a video to help with your cookie decorating.

Lots of of Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing arranged a white background

Besides falling autumn leaves, gifts, Christmas music and time with family; food and desserts may be my favorite part of the holidays. Christmas themed desserts are especially fun and a great activity for kids and the family. They're also fun gifts.

First things first, the sugar cookie base is a critical element. I recently shared this fail-proof Sugar Cookie Recipe which you'll need for decorating. This post covered everything you need to know to make perfect sugar cookies, but here are a few highlights…

Sugar cookie batter hangin on a kitchenaid paddle mixer

Cut-out sugar cookie tips for decorated cookies

Firmness of dough and chilling at each recipe step is important
Work with only a portion of the dough at a time. Keep extras in the fridge until ready to roll. This keeps them firm for rolling.
Dough should be even thickness throughout, otherwise some cookies will brown much faster than others.
Use desired cookie cutter shape and start at the edge, then cut as close as possible to the previous cut-out for rest of cookies.
Use a thin metal spatula to remove cookies. This prevents stretching or breaking.
Carefully watch while baking and bake only until edges are lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack to stop cooking.
Cool to room temp before decorating to prevent icing from melting.

Baked Sugar Cookies over a Santa Claus decorated paper backdrop

How to make Royal Icing for Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies

In a large mixing bowl stir together 4 cups of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of meringue powder and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar.
Add ½ cup warm water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat with the whisk attachment of a mixer on low until combined. Set speed to high and beat 5-8 minutes more until icing forms soft peaks
Separate royal icing for desired colors into bowls. White can be used as is.
How to color royal icing: Add the desired amount of green paste, gel or liquid food coloring and stir until even. Repeat for red and other desired colors.

Note: The amount of coloring needed can vary greatly depending on the type of coloring (paste, gel or liquid) as well as the quality of coloring. Stir in little at a time or follow package directions to reach desired color vibrancy.

Testing thickness of royal icing with toothpick next to image of mixing green royal icing

Correct consistency for royal icing

Royal icing should be a thick glaze. The easiest way to test is to run a toothpick through it. You'll see a line that forms. It should hold its shape a bit, then flatten back out.

If it's too thin: Stir in powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time.
If it's too thick: Stir in warm water, ½ teaspoon at a time. A little extra water goes a long way.

How to make a Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies

Start by baking sugar cookiesin the shape of Christmas trees
Bake until golden and cool completely before frosting
Make royal icing and add food coloring (tips in the section below). You'll need lots of green, some red and optional colors such as white and yellow
Place colored royal icing into piping bagsand use desired tips. A smaller round one works best.
Pipe a solid layer of green around the outside (leave a bit of space) then fill in the center in horizontal lines. Shake cookie a bit if needed to flatten and create even layer.
Let dry and thicken a bit, about 15 minutes. Then use red icing to create zig-zag lines for lights or garland look.
Add a bit of white to top and dots on yellow on lines to customize more.
Let cookies sit at room temp 4-6 hours or overnight to dry, depending on the thickness of icing

Close up of Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing on a white background

Tips for decorating Christmas cookies with royal icing

Royal icing can dry out:Keep in sealed piping bags with tips covered to prevent drying. If the opening does dry out simply clean out with a toothpick.
For extra icing not being used: Cover bowl or container with a damp paper towel and seal with plastic wrap. This will prevent drying.
Icing can be made ahead: Store as directed above in fridge up to 48 hours ahead.

Additional Christmas cookie decorating ideas

Beyond colored royal icing, you can use edible glitter, granulated, coarse, powdered or colored sugar, sprinkles or little colored candy bits. Add these after icing while it is still damp so they stick.

What is meringue powder and do I need it for royal icing?

Meringue powder is a mixture of pasteurized egg whites, sugar and thickening gum. It is a critical ingredient in royal icing and must be used to ensure it dries quick, hard and has a smooth, shiny look. It's available in the baking aisle of most grocery store, in craft stores or online.

Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing on a white background with text image for Pinterest

More holiday cookie recipes you may like:

- Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
- Chewy Cashew Toffee Cookies
- Edible Gingerbread Cookie Dough (no flour)

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Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing

Start with the perfect sugar cookie base, then learn how to make Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with royal icing.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Christmas cookies, Christmas tree cookies, decorated Christmas cookies

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Chilling 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Calories 222 kcal

Servings 20 cookies

Author: Matt Ivan

Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Sugar Cookies

▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
▢ ½ cup unsalted butter, room temp (1 stick)
▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 large egg
▢ ½ teaspoon lemon extract, or vanilla extract
▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

Royal Icing

▢ 4 cups powdered sugar
▢ 3 tablespoons meringue powder
▢ ½ teaspoon cream of tartar.
▢ ½ cup warm water
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 package various food colorings, green, red, yellow

Sugar Cookies

For full instructions and lots of tips for making perfect cut out cookies, refer to my fail-proof Sugar Cookie Recipe. You can make these 1 to days ahead of time or before decorating, just be sure to fully cool.

How to Make Royal Icing

In a large hand or stand mixing bowl stir together powdered sugar, meringue powder and cream of tartar.
Add warm water and vanilla. Beat with whisk attachment on low until combined.
Set speed to high and beat 5-8 minutes more until icing forms soft peaks. Check for proper thickness, add more powdered sugar or water if needed (see notes below).
Separate royal icing into separate bowls for desired colors. White can be used as is. You'll need a lot more for green.
Add desired amount of green paste, gel or liquid food coloring to reach color vibrance. Repeat for red and other desired colors.

How to Decorate Christmas Tree Cookies

Place colored royal icing into piping bags and use desired tips. A smaller round one works best.
Pipe a solid layer of green around the outside (leave a bit of space) then filling in center in horizontal lines. Shake cookie a bit if needed to flatten and create even layer.
Let dry and thicken for about 15 minutes. Then use red icing to create zig-zag lines for lights or garland look.
Add a bit of white to top and dots on yellow on lines to customize more.
Let cookies sit at room temp 4-6 hours or overnight to dry, depending on thickness of icing

Correct consistency for royal icing: Royal icing should be a thick glaze. The easiest way to test is to run a toothpick through it. You'll see a line that forms. It should hold its shape a bit, then flatten back out.
If icing is too thin: Stir in powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time.
If icing is too thick: Stir in warm water, ½ teaspoon at a time. A little extra water goes a long way.
The amount of coloring needed can vary greatly depending on the type of coloring (paste, gel or liquid) as well as the quality of coloring. Stir in little at a time or go off of package directions.
Royal icing can dry out: Keep in piping bags with tips covered to prevent sealing. If it does dry out simply clean out with a toothpick
For extra icing not being used: Cover bowl or container with a damp paper towel and seal with plastic wrap. This will prevent drying.
Icing can be made ahead:Store as directed above in fridge up to 48 hours ahead.

Nutrition Facts

Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing

Amount Per Serving

Calories 222 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g 6%

Saturated Fat 3g 19%

Cholesterol 21mg 7%

Sodium 19mg 1%

Potassium 29mg 1%

Carbohydrates 43g 14%

Fiber 0g 0%

Sugar 33g 37%

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 155IU 3%

Calcium 5mg 1%

Iron 0.6mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Royal icing recipe and some techniques adapted from Better Homes and Gardens: Christmas Cookies. Print, 2016.

Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies with Royal Icing

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