Create Festive Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies Today!

The holiday season is a time for baking, creating cherished traditions, and filling our homes with the warm, comforting aromas of freshly-baked treats. And what better way to celebrate the magic of Christmas than with a batch of delightful Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies? These buttery, flaky cookies infused with the earthy, fragrant notes of rosemary are the perfect accompaniment to your festive celebrations.

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Ingredients for Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

To make these delightful Christmas tree-shaped cookies, you’ll need a few simple ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• Colored sugar, optional
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 10 to 12 tablespoons water
• Green and brown food coloring
• Large nonpareils

The fresh rosemary is the star of the show, adding a unique and delightful flavor to these shortbread cookies. Be sure to use high-quality, fragrant rosemary for the best results. If you don’t have fresh rosemary on hand, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, but the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process for creating these festive Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Make Dough: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in minced rosemary and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a dough forms.
3. Shape Cookies: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
5. Prepare Royal Icing: In a large bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 10–12 tablespoons of water. Beat the mixture until it’s smooth. Divide and tint the icing with green and brown food coloring as desired.
6. Decorate: Pipe the colored icing onto the cooled cookies to resemble Christmas tree decorations. Sprinkle with colored sugar or attach large nonpareils as ornaments. Allow the icing to set before serving.

Tips for Perfecting Your Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

To ensure your Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies turn out perfectly, here are a few helpful tips:

• Achieving the Perfect Dough Consistency: Be sure not to overwork the dough, as this can cause the cookies to become tough. Mix the ingredients just until they come together, then gently knead the dough before rolling it out.
• Rolling and Cutting the Cookies: Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness for the best texture. Use a sharp Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to get clean, defined shapes.
• Baking to Perfection: Keep a close eye on the cookies during baking to avoid over-browning. They should be lightly golden around the edges when done.
• Cooling Before Decorating: Be sure to allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks before decorating with the royal icing. This will prevent the icing from melting or becoming too soft.

Decorating Ideas for Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

The fun doesn’t stop at baking these delightful Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies! Get creative with the decorating process to make each cookie a unique work of art:

• Piped Royal Icing: Use a piping bag fitted with various tips to create intricate designs and patterns on the cookies, mimicking the look of ornaments and garlands on a Christmas tree.
• Colored Sugars: Sprinkle the cookies with festive-colored sugars in shades of green, red, or gold for a sparkling, sugar-coated effect.
• Nonpareil Ornaments: Attach large nonpareil candies to the cookies to create the look of twinkling ornaments on a Christmas tree.
• Edible Glitter: Finish off your decorations by sprinkling a touch of edible glitter over the iced cookies for an extra touch of holiday sparkle.

Storing and Freezing Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

To keep your Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:

• Storing: Store the cooled, undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Once decorated, the cookies can be stored in the same manner for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: To freeze the cookies, place the undecorated cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the cookies at room temperature before decorating and serving.

More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

• Lavender Shortbread Cookies
• Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies
• Lemon Rosemary Cookies

FAQs about Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

Can I use a different herb if I don’t have rosemary? Absolutely! While rosemary is the star of this recipe, you can experiment with other fragrant herbs like thyme, sage, or even lavender. Just keep the overall quantity the same as the recipe calls for.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking? To prevent excessive spreading, make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the butter firm up, keeping the cookies from losing their shape in the oven. Additionally, be sure not to overwork the dough, as this can cause the cookies to spread.

What is the best way to decorate the Christmas tree cookies? The options are endless! Piped royal icing, sprinkled colored sugars, and attached nonpareils all make for stunning decorations. Get creative and have fun with it! The key is to let the icing fully set before serving the cookies.

How should I store the shortbread cookies to keep them fresh? Store the undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Once decorated, they can be stored the same way for up to 3 days. For longer-term storage, freeze the undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

Baking and decorating Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies is a wonderful way to embrace the magic of the holiday season. The combination of buttery shortbread and the unique, fragrant notes of rosemary creates a truly special treat that will delight family and friends alike. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a batch of these festive cookies that will become a cherished part of your Christmas traditions for years to come.

Looking for more tasty ideas? Visit Elena’s Fast & Flavorful Recipes on Pinterest for a treasure trove of easy meals, comfo

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