Christmas Tree Cookies are a must-have for the holiday season, adding festive charm to any dessert table. These 3D standup black chocolate cookies take holiday baking to a whole new level, creating a stunning visual and delicious treat all in one. Whether baking a sugar cookie Christmas tree or assembling a cookie Christmas tree centerpiece, there are endless ways to get creative. Try decorating Christmas tree cookies using icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter for a unique twist on tradition.
These cookies are far from your typical holiday sugar cookie recipe. Made with rich black chocolate, they have a flavor reminiscent of a homemade Oreo—decadent and utterly delicious! The dramatic dark color tastes fantastic and adds a bold, striking touch to your holiday table, perfect for creating a stunning black forest-inspired look.
I absolutely love making cookies this time of year—it’s one of my favorite traditions! The craving for sugar cookies has already begun in our house, especially since my daughter asked for some during our Thanksgiving celebration. This year, I decided to put a unique twist on cookie baking by diving into the world of black chocolate!
I can’t quite remember where I first stumbled across black chocolate. Maybe it caught my eye while scrolling through Amazon’s baking supplies, or perhaps I saw it in a recipe somewhere. Either way, it intrigued me enough to give it a try. Now, you’re probably wondering: what exactly is black chocolate?
You’re in for a treat because it takes cookies to the next level—rich, bold, and dramatic in flavor and appearance. So, let’s get the ball rolling on this recipe and dive into the magic of black cocoa! Trust me, this recipe is about to become your go-to for festive, no-spread, stand-out sugar cookies.
What is Black Chocolate
Black chocolate, often referred to as black cocoa, is a type of cocoa powder that has been heavily alkalized, meaning it has undergone a Dutch-process treatment to reduce its acidity. This process gives it a deep, dark color—almost black—and a smooth, mellow flavor with less bitterness than natural cocoa powder. It’s the secret behind the striking appearance and signature taste of treats like Oreo cookies. While black cocoa doesn’t have the robust chocolate intensity of regular cocoa powder, it adds a unique, rich undertone and dramatic visual impact to baked goods, making it perfect for cookies, cakes, and any dessert that calls for a bold, dark finish.
What Makes These No-Spread 3D Black Cocoa Cookies Unique
No-Spread Cookie Dough: This recipe creates no-spread black sugar cookies, perfect for intricate shapes and designs.
Rich Black Cocoa Flavor: Made with black cocoa powder, these cookies have an intense and irresistible chocolate taste.
Eye-Catching Black Cookies: Their striking black color makes them ideal for Halloween, gothic themes, or elegant celebrations.
Customizable 3D Cookie Shapes: Use various cutters to craft unique 3D cookie designs for any occasion.
Sturdy Yet Delicious Cookies: These cookies are firm enough for assembling 3D creations but still soft and flavorful to enjoy.
Stand-Up 3D Cookie Design: These unique cookies stand upright, serving as both edible treats and decorative displays.
Ingredients for the Christmas Tree Cookies
- Unsalted Butter: provides richness and helps create a smooth, pliable dough.
- Granulated Sugar: sweetens the cookies and helps them hold their shape during baking.
- Large Egg Yolk: adds binding and a firmer texture while enhancing the dough’s richness.
- Vanilla Extract: adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- Black Cocoa Powder: provides the cookies with a rich, dark chocolate flavor and a bold black color.
- All-Purpose Flour: acts as the structural base of the cookies, helping them hold their shape and creating firmness.
- Salt: balances the sweetness and enhances the cocoa’s flavor.
How to Make These Holiday Sugar Cookies
You’ll need this special 3D Cookie Cutter to make this tree cookie!
Step 1 – Prepare Dough: Cream the butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
Step 2 – Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix black cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gradually mix the dry and wet ingredients to form a firm dough. If the dough is too dry, mix it with your hands to form a ball.
Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness between two pieces of parchment paper. Cut out your desired shapes, using one of each tree cookie cutter. These two shapes will fit together to create a complete 3D cookie tree. Cut out the cookies, then gather the remaining dough, roll it out again, and repeat the process until all the dough is used.
Step 3 – Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Step 3 – Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness between two pieces of parchment paper. Cut out your desired shapes, using one of each tree cookie cutter. These two shapes will fit together to create a complete 3D cookie tree. Cut out the cookies, then gather the remaining dough, roll it out again, and repeat the process until all the dough is used. Here’s the link to the 3D Cookie Cutter!
Step 4 – Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Step 5 – Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 8–10 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Step 6 – Form Trees: Some cookies may fit together perfectly without trimming, while others might need a slight adjustment. If the slits are too tight, carefully cut them with a small knife, taking off just a tiny bit at a time to avoid breaking the cookie. Once the slits are adequately adjusted, fit one of each cookie together to assemble the 3D tree.
Christmas Tree Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup black cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Cream the butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix black cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gradually mix the dry and wet ingredients to form a firm dough. If the dough is too dry, mix it with your hands to form a ball.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness between two pieces of parchment paper. Cut out your desired shapes, using one of each tree cookie cutter. These two shapes will fit together to create a complete 3D cookie tree. Cut out the cookies, then gather the remaining dough, roll it out again, and repeat the process until all the dough is used.Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill the Dough: Chill cookies for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 8–10 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Form Trees: Some cookies may fit together perfectly without trimming, while others might need a slight adjustment. If the slits are too tight, carefully cut them with a small knife, taking off just a tiny bit at a time to avoid breaking the
Nutrition
More Holiday Cookie Inspiration: Festive Christmas Tree Cookies You’ll Love
- Meringue Tower Cake (Christmas Tree)
- Christmas Cookie Recipe Twinkle Tree
- Hanging Mug Topper Cookies (and cutter)
I hope you’re having a blast with all your holiday baking and whipping up some delicious treats to share! Thanks so much for stopping by—it means a lot. If you want even more ideas, check out my friends’ fabulous Christmas cookie recipes. There are so many fun and festive options to try! Happy baking and I hope your holidays are filled with love and sweet treats!
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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