Sunday, 21 October 2007

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...


I know, I know. Its still a little while before Christmas gets here but its starting to look like Christmas in my kitchen. Just a couple of nights ago, inspired by this blog and my recent exploits in cookie decoration, I decided to make a cookie Christmas tree.

The tree is really simple to make - all you really need are 5 0r 6 star-shaped cookie cutters in varying sizes, a good sugar or gingerbread cookie recipe and some royal icing to decorate the tree with - but yet, when assembled, I think it looks like it took a little more effort. I also think it makes a cute gift which is why this is also my entry for A Spoonful of Christmas, a blog event showcasing all types of food gifts for Christmas. So if you're looking for ideas on what to bring to that holiday party you've been invited to, why not bring a cookie Christmas tree?


Cookie Christmas Tree
Sugar cookie recipe from Pretty Party Cakes

200g unsalted soft butter
200g caster sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
400g plain flour, plus more for dusting
1 vanilla pod

In an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar and seeds from the split vanilla pod until well mixed and just creamy in texture. Do not overwork, or the cookies will spread during baking.

Beat in the eggs until well combined. Add the flour and mix on low speed until a dough forms. Gather into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill for at least 1 hour.

Place the dough on a floured surface and knead briefly. Using two 1/4 inch guide sticks, roll out to an even thickness.

Cut out 2 cookies using each of the different sized cookie cutters (i.e., if you have 5 different sized star shaped cookies, you should have 10 cut cookies). Place them on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Chill again for about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180C. Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on size, until golden-brown on the edges. Let cool on a wire rack.

When cool, decorate cookies as desired with royal icing. Leave to dry.

To assemble the tree, start with your largest sized cookie as the base. Then layer on the second cookie of the same size but offset the tips of the star so that they appear in between the tips of the star below. Glue together using a dollop of icing. Repeat with the second largest set of cookies and so on until you reach the smallest set of cookies you have. For this set, layer on one of the cookies onto the tree as before but this time, use the second cookie for the tree top decoration.

1 comment:

zlamushka said...

Hey Caroline, thank You so much! I love these, we make them every Xmas, wrap them individually and give away as presents or decorate the tree with them... Thank you so much for participating A Spoonful Of Christmas :-)