Store-Bought Cookie Hack Christmas Trees for a Sweet Holiday

Is there anything better than the smell of something sweet baking during the holidays? But who has the time to make cookie dough from scratch with everything else on your plate? That’s where this genius little hack comes in. We’re turning a roll of store-bought sugar cookie dough into the most adorable, festive Christmas trees you’ve ever seen. They’re perfect for a cookie exchange, a last-minute school party, or just because you deserve a fun, easy win in the kitchen. Ready to make some magic with this Store-Bought Cookie Hack Christmas Trees recipe?

Why You’ll Love This

You’re going to love this recipe because it takes all the stress out of holiday baking. We’re using a simple shortcut—that trusty roll of sugar cookie dough from the dairy aisle—to create something that looks incredibly festive and tastes delicious. It’s a project that’s perfect to do with little helpers, and you’ll have a tray of gorgeous, edible Christmas trees in no time. Seriously, the hardest part is waiting for them to cool before you dig in. So much fun.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 (16-oz) roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough – our delicious and time-saving foundation.
• Green gel food coloring – for that perfect festive pine tree hue.
• 1 cup powdered sugar – the base of our simple, shiny glaze.
• 2-3 tablespoons milk – to get that glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
• Assorted sprinkles, nonpareils, and small candies (like star-shaped sprinkles or red hots) – for decorating your edible ornaments.

Let’s Get Cooking Step by Step

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This little step makes cleanup a total breeze.
2. Now, let’s get our hands a little green! Break the cookie dough into chunks in a medium bowl. Add your green gel food coloring a few drops at a time, then knead it right into the dough until the color is fully incorporated and vibrant. Gel coloring works best here because it won’t thin out your dough.
3. Pinch off small pieces of your green dough and roll them into balls. You’ll want about 12 to 15 balls, each roughly 1 inch in diameter.
4. Here’s the fun part: place a ball on your prepared baking sheet. Using your fingers, gently shape it into a triangle to form your Christmas tree. Don’t worry about it being perfect—trees in nature aren’t perfectly symmetrical either! Repeat with the remaining dough balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the sheet.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or just until the edges are very lightly golden. They’ll still be soft in the center, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. While the trees are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl. You’re aiming for a thick but drizzle-able glaze. If it’s too thick, add another half tablespoon of milk. Too thin? Add a bit more powdered sugar.
7. Once the trees are completely cool, drizzle the white glaze over them to look like snow or festive icing. Immediately add your sprinkles and a small star candy or red hot at the top of each tree before the glaze sets. And that’s it!

Simple Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your own ideas. For a chocolate twist, use a roll of chocolate sugar cookie dough and skip the green food coloring—decorate with white glaze and sprinkles for a snowy chocolate tree. If you’re making these for a crowd with different tastes, divide the dough and make a few different colors. A little red food coloring can make fantastic poinsettias! You can also swap the milk in the glaze for a splash of vanilla extract or even a tiny bit of peppermint extract for a cool, holiday flavor. For a nutty crunch, press some finely chopped pistachios or almonds into the glaze before it dries.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

These cute little trees are the star of any holiday dessert platter. Arrange them on a festive plate alongside other simple Christmas desserts like fudge or peppermint bark. They’re the ultimate easy Christmas party desserts because they look so impressive but took you so little effort. I love serving them with a big mug of hot cocoa or a warm spiced cider—the combination is so, so comforting. They also make a wonderful addition to a spread of Christmas appetizers and sweet holiday treats, offering a little something for everyone.

Storage & Reheating

Once your trees are fully decorated and the glaze has set, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the undecorated, baked cookies for up to 2 months. Just thaw them at room temperature and then add your glaze and decorations. I don’t recommend freezing them after they’ve been glazed, as the glaze can become sticky and the sprinkles can lose their crunch.

Tips For Success

• Gel-based food coloring is your best friend here. It gives you a vibrant color without adding extra liquid to the dough.
• Let the cookies cool completely before you glaze them. If they’re even slightly warm, the glaze will just melt right off.
• If the dough gets too soft while you’re working with it, just pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.
• Get the kids involved! Shaping the trees and adding the sprinkles is a perfect job for little hands.
• Honestly, if you’re in a huge rush, you can even use a tub of pre-made vanilla frosting instead of making a glaze. Just warm it slightly so you can drizzle it.
• And have fun with it! No two trees will look exactly alike, and that’s part of their charm.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead? Absolutely! If you have a favorite recipe, feel free to use it. You’ll need about 2 cups of dough. This hack is just designed to be the easiest path to great Xmas desserts.
• My glaze is too runny. How can I fix it? No worries, it happens to all of us. Just whisk in a little more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it thickens up to a good drizzling consistency.
• What are some other Christmas food ideas for decorating? Think of your tree as a blank canvas! Mini M&M’s make great ornaments, shredded coconut looks like snow, and a sliver of candied cherry makes a wonderful tree topper. Get creative with your holiday treats!
• Can I make these ahead of time? You can bake the cookies a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. I’d recommend adding the glaze and decorations the day you plan to serve them so everything stays fresh and crisp.