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Gluten-Free Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 141 reviews

These gluten-free Christmas tree cookies are a festive and delicious treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a rich gluten-free chocolate chip cookie cake base and topped with a creamy homemade buttercream frosting, these cookies are cut into tree-shaped wedges and decorated beautifully for a fun holiday presentation. Whether you use a gluten-free cookie mix or make the dough from scratch, this recipe yields moist, flavorful cookies that are sure to impress at any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Gluten-Free Cookie Cake

  • 1 16 oz box gluten-free chocolate chip cookie mix (or use homemade gluten-free cookie recipe below)
  • 2 cups gluten-free flour (Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
  • 4 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 2 tsp clear vanilla extract (or regular vanilla extract)
  • 2–4 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
  • Optional: food coloring gel, sprinkles, edible glitter, and star-shaped toppers for decorating

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a circular baking dish or 9-inch cake pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  2. Make cookie dough: If using a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie mix, prepare it according to the package instructions and skip to step 5. For homemade dough, stir together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter with both brown and white sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat the large egg and egg yolk along with the vanilla extract into the creamed butter-sugar mixture until smooth and fully combined.
  5. Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually stir the dry flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if desired) to evenly distribute.
  6. Shape and bake: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cookie cake is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed.
  7. Cool and slice: Allow the cookie cake to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, carefully use a sharp knife to cut the cookie cake into eight equal wedges, resembling pizza slices.
  8. Make buttercream frosting: In a stand mixer, beat the softened salted butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating until well combined.
  9. Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar to the butter in one cup increments. Start mixing on low speed to avoid sugar flying out and scrape down the bowl sides as needed.
  10. Adjust consistency: After fully incorporating the sugar, check the frosting’s consistency. Add milk or heavy cream one tablespoon at a time to loosen it if too thick, or add more powdered sugar if too thin. Add food coloring gel if desired for festive colors.
  11. Decorate cookies: Using a tipless piping bag, pipe a row of buttercream starting at the wide end of each wedge. Smooth the frosting down with a small spatula or popsicle stick. Repeat to create six rows or until the wedge is fully covered, mimicking the layers of a Christmas tree.
  12. Add finishing touches: Decorate with sprinkles, edible gold or silver dust/glitter, and place a small star topper on the pointed end of each tree slice for a festive look.

Notes

  • You can substitute store-bought gluten-free chocolate chip cookie mix or make the dough from scratch with the provided ingredients.
  • Let the cookie cake cool completely before slicing and frosting to prevent melting and crumbling.
  • For best frosting texture, use softened butter and sift confectioners’ sugar to avoid lumps.
  • Food coloring gels work best for vibrant frosting colors without thinning the buttercream.
  • These cookies can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Keywords: gluten free Christmas cookies, gluten free cookie cake, buttercream frosting, holiday cookies, Christmas tree cookies, gluten free dessert

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/gluten-free-christmas-tree-cookies-recipe/