Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Cookies are a delightful fusion of nostalgia and holiday cheer. Inspired by the beloved Little Debbie snack cakes we all know and love, these cookies transform a festive favorite into a sweet treat that’s perfect for Christmas gatherings. Each bite delivers a delicious combination of buttery cookies and creamy frosting, all dressed up in vibrant holiday colors. Trust me, these cookies are sure to evoke cherished memories and bring joy to any holiday celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
These cookies are not just visually appealing; they’re a treat for the taste buds, too! Why make them? For starters, they’re a fantastic holiday activity, especially if you have kids helping you in the kitchen. Kids and adults alike love getting creative with decorating, making it a fun way to bond during the festive season. Plus, they’re quick to whip up, making them perfect for when unexpected guests arrive or when that holiday cookie platter needs a little boost.
"These cookies taste just like the Little Debbie cakes! I made them for a holiday party, and everyone loved them. I’ll be making these every year!"
The Cooking Process Explained
Making these Christmas Tree Cake Cookies is surprisingly simple! The process begins by preparing your cookie dough, which involves whisking together the dry ingredients, creaming the butter and sugar, and then combining everything for a luscious dough. You’ll chill the dough to make it easier to cut into shapes—you can even prepare the dough a day ahead if time is tight! Once your shapes are baked and cooled, the fun part begins: decorating!
What You’ll Need
Gather these items before you begin your baking adventure:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Red food gel
- Green sugar sprinkles
- 3/4 cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3-5 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
- 1-2 drops red food gel (optional for buttercream)
This ingredient list ensures that you create cookies that are soft, flavorful, and visually stunning!
Directions to Follow
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides to ensure even mixing.
Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing and scraping down the bowl to incorporate everything thoroughly.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the bowl. Remember to scrape down the sides one last time before mixing for a few more seconds.
Roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment paper to about 1/4" thick. Place it on a cookie sheet and transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you have the time).
Use a 5" circle cookie cutter to cut out as many circles as possible, and with a 2" tree cookie cutter, cut out a tree shape in the center of half the cookies.
Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet, leaving about an inch and a half apart. Bake in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
For the buttercream, cream together the butter and confectioner’s sugar, gradually adding in the heavy cream until smooth. Optional: Add a few drops of white food coloring here for a brighter finish!
Remove about 1/4 cup of the buttercream and dye it red. Fit both types of buttercream into piping bags.
Once the cookies are cool, pipe a layer of white buttercream onto the bottom of a full cookie. Use the red buttercream to create the iconic Little Debbie tree cake stripes on top. Finish with a sprinkle of green sugar, then place a cookie with the center cut out on top. Repeat this for all cookies.
Enjoy your freshly made holiday cookies!
How to Plate and Pair
To make your Christmas Tree Cake Cookies shine, consider placing them on a festive platter adorned with holiday decorations such as evergreen sprigs or colorful ornaments. For an extra touch, serve them alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or a cup of spiced chai tea. They’re also fabulous paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert moment!
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Storing these cookies requires a bit of care to maintain their freshness. For best results, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the undecorated cookies. Just make sure they cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper and freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Decorate once you’re ready to enjoy them!
Helpful Cooking Tips
Chilling the Dough: Make sure to chill the dough properly; this step helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
Decorating: Use a toothpick to help guide your piping and create those lovely, defined stripes for a perfect finish.
Food Coloring: When using food gel, start with just a drop or two, as it goes a long way in achieving vibrant colors for your buttercream.
Creative Twists
Feel free to get creative with these cookies! You can swap the flavors by using almond extract instead of vanilla for a slightly different taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider drizzling melted chocolate over the cookies or using different colored sprinkles for a personalized touch. For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
Your Questions Answered
1. How long does it take to prepare these cookies?
From start to finish, expect around 2.5 hours, including chilling time.
2. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter gives the best flavor and texture, margarine can be used in a pinch, but the taste may differ slightly.
3. What should I do if the dough is too sticky?
If your dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.
4. Are there any alternatives for the food dye?
Definitely! You can use natural alternatives like beet juice or matcha for color, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
Now you have a cheerful and delicious recipe to add to your holiday celebrations! Enjoy creating memories as you bake these festive treats.
Print
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Cookies
- Total Time: 160 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful cookies inspired by the beloved Little Debbie snack cakes, perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Red food gel
- Green sugar sprinkles
- 3/4 cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3-5 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
- 1-2 drops red food gel (optional for buttercream)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment paper to about 1/4″ thick, then chill for at least 2 hours.
- Cut out cookie shapes and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool.
- For the buttercream, cream together the butter and confectioner’s sugar, gradually adding in the heavy cream until smooth.
- Dye 1/4 cup of buttercream red and fit both into piping bags.
- Once cookies are cool, pipe white buttercream on a full cookie, use red for stripes, and sprinkle green sugar before topping with another cookie.
Notes
Chill the dough properly to maintain cookie shape while baking. Use a toothpick for precise piping.
- Prep Time: 150 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American