Copycat Pillsbury Christmas Sugar Cookie
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are a fun, festive treat made by stacking cut-out cookie layers to create a beautifully shaped holiday tree. With vibrant green dough and optional colorful decorations, these cookies are both a delicious and creative way to celebrate the season. Perfect for holiday parties or as a fun family baking activity, these cookies are sure to bring joy to your Christmas festivities!
Winter is here, and with it comes all things cozy and comforting—sweaters, hot chocolate, and festive baking! One of my all-time favorite seasonal treats is the Pillsbury sugar cookies. While those pre-made cookies are convenient, nothing beats the taste and satisfaction of making your own from scratch. That’s why I’m excited to share this fun and festive copycat recipe for Pillsbury Holiday Sugar Cookies that you can make at home.
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Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (226g) organic unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300g) organic cane sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional for extra flavor)
- 2 ½ cups (315g) organic unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- food coloring (I used Watkins brand)
Here is an idea of how I roll my tree into the dough!
Why Make Them From Scratch?
While the store-bought version is convenient, making these cookies from scratch gives you control over the ingredients. By using organic butter, cane sugar, and unbleached all-purpose flour, you can ensure a wholesome and delicious treat for your family. Plus, you can customize the color and size of your pumpkin design, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating something so pretty!
Copycat Pillsbury Christmas Sugar Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic unsalted butter softened (226g)
- 1 ½ cups organic cane sugar 300g
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional for flavor depth
- 2 1/2 cups organic unbleached all-purpose flour 315g
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- food coloring for the design I use Watkins or Mccalls brand
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and continue to beat until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until the dough comes together.
- Remove about ¼ of the dough (approximately ¾ cup or 220g) and place it in a separate bowl.
- Add green food coloring to the ¾ cup of dough and stir, adding more until it reaches a vibrant green. For the remaining dough, you can leave it uncolored or add additional colors (for example, gold or red) for extra festive designs.
- Roll out the green dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut your tree shapes using a small Christmas tree cutter. You can make it your own by cutting out additional decorations (such as small circles or star shapes) from the remaining dough to add ornaments or a tree topper.
- Once you’ve cut out all your tree shapes, begin stacking them.If you want to create a more sturdy structure, you can lightly press the layers together or use a little dab of water to "glue" them.
- Place the stacked tree cookies on a tray and place in the freezer to chill for 15 minutes to an hour.
- When the tree cut outs are firm, remove them from the freezer. Divide any remaining uncolored dough into two pieces. Roll out flat and wrap each piece around a tree shape, forming a smooth log while keeping the tree as the center.
- Roll cookie logs in sprinkles if you want them to be extra festive.
- Wrap the dough logs with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or up to one week.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake, as you want the cookies to remain soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
