A Plate of Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 tablespoon milk
– teaspoon salt
– 1-2 teaspoons water adjust for consistency
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 egg white or 1 tablespoon meringue powder
– 1 teaspoon lemon juice
– Green food coloring gel preferred
– Red and white nonpareils or any small edible decorations
– White star-shaped sprinkles optional
Instructions:
1. Make the cookie dough:
– In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
– In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
– Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well integrated.
– Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
– Divide the dough in half, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Shape the cookies:
– Preheat your oven to 350F 175C and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
– Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about -inch thick.
– Use a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
– Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
– Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Prepare the royal icing:
– In a mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, egg white or meringue powder, and lemon juice until stiff peaks form.
– Divide the icing into separate bowls for coloring.
– Add green gel food coloring to one bowl, leaving the other bowls white for decorations.
4. Decorate the cookies:
– Using a piping bag or squeeze bottle, fill the trees with green royal icing and let them dry for about 30 minutes.
– With white icing, pipe decorations like garlands and ornaments by making small dots on the green icing.
– Pipe a little white icing at the top of each tree and add a white star sprinkle to create the tree topper.
– Sprinkle red and white nonpareils around the tree for a festive touch.
– Allow the cookies to fully set before serving.
Nutritional Information:
– Approximately 150 calories per cookie
– 2g protein
– 8g fat
Time: Preparation time: 70 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes
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