Sprinkles are to cookies what sequins are to dresses. They mean the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. Subtle and sublime. “I attended the party” and “I am the party.” These buttery Christmas tree shortbread cookies are the party. And the after-party.
There’s just something about sprinkles that enables them to make any dessert the center of attention. Cookie pops. Mini doughnuts. Fortune cookies. Homemade lollipops. You name the confection, sprinkles have upped its star power.
It doesn’t take much to jazz up classic shortbread cookies. With a festive new shape, a chocolate drizzle and yes, a sprinkle shower, Christmas tree shortbread cookies just might give Christmas Tree Cupcakes some competition for Best Dressed dessert.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at cool room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup green candy melts (See Kelly's Notes)
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- Assorted sprinkles
Equipment:
- two round 9-inch cake pans; piping bag or sealable plastic bag
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300ºF and grease two round 9-inch cake pans with butter. (If the pans are not non-stick, line them with greased parchment paper).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing just until combined.
- Divide the dough evenly between the two greased pans and press it into an even layer. Using a fork, prick the dough all over. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the shortbread is pale golden in the center and slightly darker around the edges.
- Remove the shortbread from the oven and immediately invert the pans onto a cutting board. (If the shortbread won't release from the pan, use a sharp knife to cut around the edges.) Using a sharp knife, immediately cut each shortbread round into 8 wedges. It is important to cut the shortbread while it's still warm, otherwise it will crumble if you try to cut it after it has cooled.
- Transfer the shortbread wedges to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Melt the candy melts with the vegetable oil in a microwave or double-boiler, stirring until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or plastic bag, snip off the tip of the bag and then drizzle it onto the cookies. Immediately top the cookies with sprinkles and serve.
Kelly's Notes:
- If you can't find green candy melts, you can use any variety of chocolate. White chocolate would be a beautiful snowy addition to the buttery shortbread trees.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Cookie recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour.
This my second year making these. I did two different shortbread recipes this year and had my family do a taste test. This won, hands down. Not even close. And, so so so easy to make and so pretty. I think I will use this recipe throughout the year for different occasions. Thanks for a terrific recipe!
WOW! Love reading this, Sally!
This recipe is terrific! So easy and delicious.
So glad you enjoyed it, Jane!
Looking forward to making these
Enjoy!
I can’t use candy melts because of a nut allergy. Can I add a little green food coloring to white chocolate?
Hi Debbie! For the best results you’ll want to use a powder dye. Water-based dyes will cause the chocolate to seize. Add a small amount of the dye at a time, stirring and gradually adding more dye until you have the color you want. Or just use the white chocolate for a beautiful snowy addition. Hope that helps!
Oh. My. Gosh.
These are amazing. I have tried making shortbread so many times and have had them turn out awful. I made these – followed directions to the letter and they turned out amazing! And the are really easy. Drizzling the green chocolate over a whole batch was fast and looks great. my husband said “don’t bother making any other cookies this year!” Thanks so much for this terrific recipe!!
Yes! This is what I like to hear :) So glad you love them, Sally!
What does the vegetable oil do special with the green candy melt? And if I do not use those and instead use white chocolate, do I have to add the veggie oil? Thanks !
Hi there! It helps thin the candy melts to make them easier to drizzle. You can use the oil if drizzling with chocolate, but it’s not essential.
How long will these keep if I store them in an air tight container/ freeze them?
Hi Jessica! I’ve never tried freezing them so I’m not sure about that option, but if you store them in an airtight container at room temp, they should last up to about 5 days and still be nice and fresh.
Hi. Do the candy melt drizzles firm up when cooled? I want to pack these in goodie bags and I don’t want them to stick together. Thanks!!!
Yes they firm up and the cookies can be easily stacked!
Made these today. Nailed it!! Delicious too
Dear Kelly, thank you so much for your ideas, recipes and smile :) !! You inspire me very much!
Can I substitute almond flavoring for the vanilla ?
Definitely, Gayle!
These are so cute and party-perfect. I love all the sprinkles. :)
I’m a bit on the shy side about commenting on “power” blogs like yours, but I got so excited about how you decorated these cookies that I couldn’t help scooting out of my shy shell. Seeing those lines across the cookies and then the sprinkles, woke my brain up with something akin to “helluuuuu, dumb head. You don’t have to completely frost a cookie and then add the sprinkles. You can make lines and then add the sprinkles!!!!!!”. And those lime-ish green colored sprinkles? Beautiful. I passed over that very color of sprinkles at the grocery store recently and instead chose the regular darker green sprinkles. I had even told myself that I would regret not buying the lighter ones. (Talk to myself a lot.) I’m leaving now to go back to the store and make a more correct sprinkle purchase. Bye. Thanks.
Hi Terri! Thank you so much for your incredible comment. It made my week! So happy to have inspired you even in the slightest :)
I have never felt this great about sprinkles!! Just love how you convinced me I should have sprinkles on everything. These cookies ARE definitely the party and after party. Look so gorgeous.
It is so great! Thank you for idea. May I translate your recipe for Russian readers and post it on coolculinary.ru?
Hi Olga – Thanks for your email but I’d prefer the recipe not be copied exactly and re-posted elsewhere. If you’d like to re-write the directions, then you can do so. Thanks so much.
Love this idea!! Adorable! Pinning :)
Yes, sprinkles = sequins! I totally agree. :) Your cookies are gorgeous. Love how you decorated them. When it comes to handing out cookies to my friends and family, it’s all about presentation and these have the wow factor!
I have a feeling my cookies wouldnt turn out nearly as good as yours but what’s the harm in trying? Tis the season.
I love how simple it is to “dress up” a plain shortbread with candy melts and sprinkles! These are fabulous, Kelly! If they were a party dress, they’d be covered in sequins. Love ’em!
Stunning as always!! These are so cute and fun!! I am think of making these friday!
These cookies are stunning! I’m making Christmas cookies with my mama this weekend and I’m adding these to the list!
I love shortbread and these trees are so fun and festive!
you’re decorating skills never cease to impress – get it girrrl! these look faboosh :)
I love this. The decoration is so simple in process, but wow, huge overall finish with such a visual impact!
I love the looks of these Kelly!! Seriously so pretty and looks so yummy too!
I love how easy this recipe is and no cookie cutters involved!
You are so talented! These are absolutely gorgeous! Hopefully once finals are done I can get some Christmas baking done. If I’m lucky, they’ll turn out half as pretty as these!
Thank you so much, Katherine! I’m sure yours will turn out fantastic :)