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+ servings

Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies

Preheat your oven for a fun and festive recipe for Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 16 cookies

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.

Notes

  • To melt the candy melts in the microwave, put the candy and oil in a glass bowl or measuring cup. Microwave at 50 percent power for 1 minute. Give it a stir, then microwave at 50 percent power in 15- to 30-second increments, stirring in between, until they are completely melted and smooth.
  • To melt the candy melts on the stove, use a double boiler with the lower pot filled with an inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, then remove from the heat, put the top pot in place, and add the candy melts and oil. Stir continuously until melted. 
  • For quick cleanup, put the cooled shortbread wedges on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or parchment paper before decorating. 
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