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There’s something so joyful about decorating holiday cookies, and these air fryer chocolate-dipped shortbread Christmas trees are a festive favorite! Buttery, crumbly, and just the right amount of sweet, these cookies are perfect for dipping, sprinkling, and nibbling all season long.
Last year, I made a batch with my niece on a snowy Saturday and she loved dipping the little trees into chocolate and showering them with sprinkles. I loved that they were done in under 10 minutes per batch in the air fryer! No long oven preheats, and way fewer dishes.
These cookies have that melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture with golden edges and a light crunch. We’re talking just five base ingredients, no eggs, and a dough that’s easy to roll and cut into tree shapes.
Once baked, a dip in rich chocolate and a sprinkle of holiday cheer makes them look straight out of a cookie shop. They’re giftable, snackable, and honestly kind of irresistible. Let’s make them!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need for the shortbread base:
- All-purpose flour – Gives the cookies structure. Spoon and level to measure.
- Unsalted butter – Softened and the star of shortbread. Use good quality!
- Powdered sugar – Dissolves easily and keeps the texture tender.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, cozy aroma.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
And for the dip:
- Chocolate chips or melting wafers – Semi-sweet, dark, or white.
- Holiday sprinkles – Red, green, gold… go wild!
Optional: Add a touch of almond extract or orange zest to the dough for extra flavor.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the dough: Beat 1 cup softened butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar until creamy. Add 1 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp salt. Mix in 2 cups flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into tree shapes with cookie cutters. Reroll scraps.
- Chill the trees: Chill cut-out cookies in the fridge for 15 minutes so they hold their shape.
- Preheat & load: Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place cookies on parchment in the basket.Pro Tip: Don’t stack or overlap the cookies. Give them space to bake evenly!
- Air fry: Bake for 7–9 minutes or until edges are just golden. Let cool completely.
- Dip and decorate: Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Dip cooled cookies halfway and place on wax paper. Add sprinkles immediately. Let set.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the chill – The shapes will spread.
- Overbaking – They should be pale with just a hint of color.
- Using warm cookies for dipping – They’ll melt the chocolate unevenly.
- Crowding the air fryer basket – Cookies bake unevenly.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Almond shortbread: Swap vanilla for almond extract.
- Zesty orange: Add 1 tsp orange zest to the dough.
- Half-dipped: Dip just the tips or one side for a minimalist look.
- Double chocolate: Use cocoa powder in the dough + dip in dark chocolate.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
You can make the dough up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate. Roll and cut just before baking.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the undipped cookies for up to 2 months, then dip when ready to serve or gift.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Each cookie has about 120 calories (varies by size and chocolate).
Air Fryer Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Christmas Trees
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla and salt.
- Gradually mix in flour until dough forms.
- Roll out dough, cut tree shapes, and chill for 15 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Line basket with parchment.
- Air fry 7–9 minutes until edges are golden. Cool completely.
- Dip in melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
An automated tool is used to calculate nutritional information. Accuracy not guaranteed.
I hope these chocolate-dipped shortbread trees bring a little extra joy to your holiday baking! They’re so easy, adorable, and taste even better than they look. Perfect for cookie trays, gifting, or just cozy nibbling by the tree. If you try them, I’d love to see! Tag me in your creations — and if you want more buttery goodness, check out my air fryer butter cookies next!
