Irish Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies bring a touch of festive magic to your holiday table in just 40 minutes. These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats are rich with a delicate crumb and a hint of vanilla, perfect for savoring with a cup of tea. Their golden edges and soft centers create a delightful contrast, while the festive tree shape adds a charming holiday flair. Whether you’re baking for a party or a cozy night in, these cookies are sure to impress with their simplicity and elegance.
With only 20 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of baking, these cookies are as easy to make as they are delicious. The smooth, velvety dough comes together effortlessly, and the subtle sweetness is balanced by a satisfying crunch. Dusted with powdered sugar or decorated with a drizzle of icing, they’re a festive treat that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Share them with loved ones or keep them all to yourself—either way, they’re a holiday must-have.
What You’ll Need for Irish Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies
- FOR THE COOKIES:
- 1 1/2 cups (12oz, 345g) butter, at room temperature (softened for easy mixing)
- 1 cup (7.5oz, 216g) sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups (1lb 1/2oz, 469g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- FOR THE ICING:
- 1 cup (4 1/2oz, 127g) confectioners sugar (icing sugar)
- Water (add a few drops at a time to avoid thinning too much)
- Green and yellow food dye (gel or liquid, as preferred)
- Red edible pearl decorations (for festive accents)
How to Make Irish Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar until light and pale in color.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then gradually add to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together.
- Dump the dough onto a floured surface and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 60 minutes.
- Roll the dough to 1/2-inch thickness and cut into star shapes using star cutters.
- Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the icing: Mix confectioners sugar with a few drops of water until thick but spreadable. Divide into separate bowls and tint with green and yellow food dye to desired shades.
- Frost the cookies with green icing for the trees, reserving a few small stars to dye yellow for the tree toppers.
- Stack the cookies to form trees, binding each layer with a drop of icing. Let dry completely.
- Decorate the trees by placing red edible pearl decorations on the star points.
- Finish by placing the yellow star on top of each tree. Enjoy your festive cookies!
Creative Serving Suggestions
These Irish Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings! Arrange them on a festive platter with a dusting of powdered sugar to mimic snow. For an extra touch, pair them with a mug of hot cocoa or spiced cider. You can also gift them in a decorative box or tin for a thoughtful homemade present.
Storage Tips for Freshness
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’re making them ahead of time, freeze the unfrosted cookies in a single layer for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost them just before serving to keep the icing fresh and vibrant.
Time-Saving Hacks
To save time, prepare the dough a day in advance and chill it overnight. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling. Use multiple star cutters of the same size to cut out cookies faster, or enlist a helper to speed up the frosting and decorating process.
Fun Recipe Variations
Switch up the flavors by adding a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract to the dough. For a festive twist, sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar or edible glitter before baking. You can also experiment with different icing colors, like red or gold, for a unique holiday look.
Essential Equipment Guidance
An electric mixer with a paddle attachment makes creaming the butter and sugar a breeze. If you don’t have star cutters, use a sharp knife to cut out tree shapes or other holiday-themed designs. A silicone baking mat or parchment paper ensures easy cookie removal and cleanup.
Irish Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies
Ingredients
FOR THE COOKIES:
- 1 1/2 cups butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
FOR THE ICING:
- 1 cup confectioners sugar (icing sugar)
- water
- green and yellow food dye
- Red edible pearl decorations
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350oF (180oC).
- In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the room temperature butter and sugar until they are light and pale in color.
- Add the vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 60 minutes.
- Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut using star cutters. Here is where I bought them: https://bit.ly/starcutters
- Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the edges begin to brown lightly. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- To make your frosting: Mix your confectioners sugar with a few drops of water and stir. Take care to not add too much for it will be really hard to get it thick again.
- In seperate bowls, add the food dye to reach desired color of green and yellow.
- Frost each cookie for the trees. Make sure to save some small stars to be dyed yellow to go on top. Leave to dry.
- Stack the cookies on top of each other binding each layer with a drop of frosting.
- Once dry, place your pearl decorations on the points of the stars.
- Finish the tree by placing the star on top!!! Enjoy this cookie 🙂
