How to Make Christmas Tree Cookies

Room temperature butter and eggs create superior cookie dough. Refrigerating the dough after you mix it will help the dough to hold together when you roll it in a later step.

1. 

   1

    

   Whisk the flour, salt and baking soda together in a bowl. Set the dry ingredients aside.

2. 

   2

    

   Place the butter into a large mixing bowl.

3. 

   3

    

   Beat the butter using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with a flat paddle attachment until the butter is creamy and smooth. Your mixer should be set at a medium speed.

4. 

   4

    

   Add the sugar and continue beating the butter and sugar for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is yellow and pale.

5. 

   5

    

   Beat in the egg and egg yolk.

6. 

   6

    

   Add the vanilla extract and beat the batter together for another 1 to 2 minutes.

7. 

   7

    

   Turn the mixer down to low speed and add 1/2 cup of the dry ingredients, mixing until they are just incorporated.

8. 

   8

    

   Keep adding the dry ingredients in 1/2-cup intervals until all of the dry ingredients are integrated into the dough.

9. 

   9

    

   Turn the dough out onto a clean counter or cutting board.

10. 

    10

     

    Divide the dough in half.

11. 

    11

     

    Shape each half into a disc and cover each disc in plastic wrap.

12. 

    12

     

    Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.