Name: M&M’S® Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-490149H2M11S
Total time: PT-490149H2M11S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature; 1½ cups granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 3 cups all purpose flour; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2½ tablespoons meringue powder; 2-3 tablespoons water; 3 drops green gel food coloring; Holiday sprinkles; ½ cup M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Holiday Candies; Gold star sprinkles; 12 pretzel sticks

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1½ cups granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3 cups all purpose flour

2 cups powdered sugar

2½ tablespoons meringue powder

2-3 tablespoons water

3 drops green gel food coloring

Holiday sprinkles

½ cup M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Holiday Candies

Gold star sprinkles

12 pretzel sticks

Instructions

Step 1: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes on medium speed. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, mixing until fully combined. Turn off the mixer and add the all-purpose flour. Turn the mixer on low to incorporate the flour into the dough.

Step 2: Divide the dough in half and place each portion on a large piece of plastic wrap. Shape each into a flattened rectangle, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour a clean work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one piece of chilled dough to ½ inch thickness, lifting occasionally to prevent sticking. Cut the dough into triangle shapes using a cookie cutter or by hand. Place the cut pieces 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Chill the cut cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking. Gather scraps, roll out, and cut more triangles, chilling again if necessary. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes until golden brown, rotating the sheet halfway through baking. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 5: While cookies are still warm, insert a pretzel stick into the bottom edge of each triangle to form the tree trunk.

Step 6: Prepare the icing by combining powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 2 tablespoons of water in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat for about 7 minutes until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Add green gel food coloring to reach your desired shade, and transfer the icing to a piping bag.

Step 7: Once the cookies are completely cooled, pipe a squiggly line of green icing starting at the tip of each triangle, moving back and forth down to the base. Quickly sprinkle holiday sprinkles over the icing, then add several M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Holiday Candies as ornaments. Top each cookie with a gold star sprinkle and allow the icing to dry before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra stability, chill the cookies well before baking and again after cutting to help maintain shape.

You can substitute pretzel sticks with small pretzel rods if you prefer a sturdier tree trunk.

Experiment with different colors of gel food coloring to create unique tree decorations.

Use royal icing instead of meringue powder icing if you want a quicker alternative for decorating.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days before rolling and cutting. Just wrap tightly to prevent drying out.

What if I don’t have meringue powder?

You can substitute with prepared royal icing or make your own meringue powder replacement, but using the powder ensures the icing hardens nicely for decorating.