Hazelnut Shortbread Trees Recipe

Name: Hazelnut Shortbread Trees
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened; 2 tsp finely grated orange peel; 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus additional to dust; 2 tbsp rice flour; 2 1/2 cups flour; 1/4 cup ground hazelnuts; None None Silver dragees. to decorate; None None FOR THE BRANDY BUTTERCREAM; 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter, softened; 1/2 tsp finely grated orange peel; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 2 tsp brandy

Servings: persons

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 tsp finely grated orange peel
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus additional to dust
2 tbsp rice flour
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup ground hazelnuts
None None Silver dragees. to decorate
None None FOR THE BRANDY BUTTERCREAM
4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1/2 tsp finely grated orange peel
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp brandy

1
Beat butter, orange peel and sifted powdered sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in sifted flours, spice and hazelnuts, in two batches.
2
Knead dough on floured surface until smooth. Roll dough between sheets of parchment paper until 1/4-inch thick. Refrigerate 30 mins.
3
Preheat the oven to 350u00b0F. Grease and line three baking pans with parchment paper.
4
Cut 24 each 1-inch stars, 2-inch stars and 2 3/4-inch stars from dough. Place small stars on one of the prepared pans. Place remaining stars, about 1 inch apart, on remaining 2 pans.
5
Bake small stars about 10 mins. Bake larger stars about 15 mins. Cool in pan 5 mins. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.
6
Meanwhile, for the brandy buttercream, beat butter, orange peel, sifted powdered sugar and brandy in medium bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
7
Sandwich two of each size cookie with buttercream. Assemble trees by joining three different size stars together with buttercream.
8
Decorate trees by adhering dragees to stars with a tiny dot of buttercream. Dust trees with additional sifted powdered sugar.

954

kcal

Calories

Fat

101

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 12 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened, 2 tsp finely grated orange peel, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus additional to dust, 2 tbsp rice flour, and more.

Yes, Hazelnut Shortbread Trees falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Hazelnut Shortbread Trees

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions