Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe

If you’re hunting for a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat to brighten up your holidays, this Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe is an absolute must-try. I love this recipe because it’s super simple, gets you that buttery shortbread bliss, and the cute little Christmas tree shape just makes everyone smile—plus, decorating them with chocolate or candy melts is a fun ritual the whole family can enjoy. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through the easiest way to create these adorable sticks that will become a holiday favorite in your home.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients in this Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe come together beautifully to create that classic shortbread flavor with a festive twist. The key is using good quality butter and chocolate to get that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich taste that’ll keep everyone coming back for seconds.

• All-purpose flour: Spoon and level it for accuracy to ensure your shortbread doesn’t turn out tough.
• Powdered sugar: This gives you that delicate sweetness and helps the dough stay soft.
• Cornstarch: A little secret I found that adds to the tender crumb of the shortbread.
• Baking powder: Just a pinch to give the cookies a slight lift, making them less dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly into the dough.
• Baker’s chocolate or candy melts: For decorating the trees—choose your favorite for flavor and color!
• Sprinkles (optional): For adding a little extra sparkle on your Christmas tree branches.

Variations

I love how versatile this Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe is — it encourages you to get creative, whether it’s switching up the chocolate or trying different flavor add-ins. You can easily make it your own and match your holiday vibe perfectly.

• Chocolate Dip or Drizzle: I like to melt white chocolate for a snowy look or even use peppermint-flavored candy melts for a minty twist that my family adores.
• Nutty Shortbread: Adding finely chopped pistachios or almonds into the dough gives a subtle crunch and festive green bits, perfect for Christmas.
• Gluten-Free Version: Try swapping out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend; I had great results without losing any buttery goodness.
• Spiced Shortbread: Mixing in ground cinnamon or nutmeg adds a cozy aroma and warmth fitting for the holidays.

How to Make Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Perfect Dough

Start by combining your dry ingredients—flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt—in a bowl. Then, add the softened butter and mix it all together until it forms a crumbly yet cohesive dough. I usually use my hands here because it’s easier to feel when the dough comes together without overworking it. You want it just right—not too dry, not sticky.

Step 2: Shape Those Christmas Trees

The fun part! Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Then, cut into small rectangles or sticks that mimic the shape of little Christmas trees—don’t worry about perfection, rustic charm counts! If you feel fancy, you can use a small Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter. Transfer them gently to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the sticks at 325°F (165°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until just starting to turn golden around the edges. I learned the hard way that overbaking makes them too hard, so keep an eye from the 18-minute mark. Once baked, let them cool completely—this step is key because they firm up as they cool.

Step 4: Decorate with Chocolate and Sprinkles

After your cookies are fully cool, melt your baker’s chocolate or candy melts. Using a piping bag or just a spoon, drizzle or dot the chocolate in a zigzag pattern across the shortbread sticks to mimic tree branches. Sprinkle with festive sugar or colored sprinkles right away so they stick before the chocolate sets. I like to chill them briefly in the fridge to speed up the hardening process.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with rainbow sprinkles or tiny edible pearls to mimic Christmas ornaments. Sometimes I dust them lightly with powdered sugar to look like fresh snow—it’s such an easy trick to make your cookies look festive and irresistible right off the plate.

Side Dishes

These shortbread sticks pair beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or mulled cider. I often serve them alongside a cheese board or a bowl of fresh fruit during holiday gatherings—because their buttery sweetness contrasts nicely with savory or tart options.

Creative Ways to Present

Last Christmas, I arranged a platter of these shortbread sticks standing upright in a festive glass jar lined with red tissue paper, which made an eye-catching centerpiece that doubled as an edible decoration. Another idea I love is tying a few sticks together with colorful ribbon as little edible gifts—everybody thought that was charming and thoughtful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay crisp and delicious for up to a week, though mine rarely last that long! Just make sure they’re fully cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. I freeze them uncoated in single layers on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and decorate fresh with melted chocolate and sprinkles.

Reheating

Shortbread cookies don’t really need reheating, but if you want that just-baked warmth, pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Just don’t overdo it or they’ll dry out—the goal is to bring back a bit of warmth without sacrificing texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Shortbread Sticks Recipe comes together—it’s simple, charming, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser during the holidays. Every year, these cookies bring a smile to my family’s faces and add that perfect homemade touch to our celebrations. I promise, once you make them, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again, whether as a sweet snack or a delightful gift. So go ahead, grab your baking supplies, and let’s fill your kitchen with the cozy scents of Christmas!

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