These delicious Christmas Tree Cookies are sure to dazzle guests during the holidays.
Christmas Tree Cookies
Makes 24 to 36
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Royal Icing (recipe follows)
- Assorted sprinkles, sparkling sugars, and crushed peppermint candy
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add egg and vanilla, beating until combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until a dough forms. Divide dough in half.
- On a heavily floured surface, roll half of dough to ¼-inch thickness. Using 3-to 5-inch tree-shaped cutters, cut dough, and place 1 inch apart on prepared pans. Repeat with remaining dough, rerolling scraps as necessary.
- Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks.
- Decorate with Royal Icing, sprinkles, sugars, and candy as desired. Let stand until icing is dry, about 1 hour. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Royal Icing
Ingredients
- 1 (2-pound) bag confectioners’ sugar
- 5 tablespoons meringue powder
- ¾ cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
- Liquid food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder until well combined. Add ¾ cup water and extract, whisking until smooth and well combined. Tint with food coloring, if using. Use immediately.
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