How to Decorate a Cookie Tree

A cookie tree can be a great item to make for a hostess gift at holiday time. Or it's also a great way to make holiday memories with your children. While the cookie tree may look like it's hard to do, it's really simple to make and decorate.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baking sheets
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Cookie dough
• Rolling pin
• Star-shaped cookie cutters in at least six sizes
• Spatula
• Large, flat plate or serving dish
• Frosting
• Small candies

1. Gather your utensils and your cookie ingredients. Mix two batches of your favorite rollout cookie dough. Refrigerate the dough if the recipe calls for it.

2. Pre-heat the oven to the proper temperature. Lightly spray the baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray.

3. Roll out the cookie dough according to the recipe directions. Beginning with the largest star cookie cutter, cut two stars. Place them on the baking sheet. Continue cutting cookies until you have two of every size. Try to put like size stars on the same sheet so they can bake the same length of time.

4. Bake the cookies. Watch them carefully so that they don't burn. When they cool slightly, remove the cookies to cooling racks using the spatula.

5. Mix your frosting. You can choose whatever color you want. Homemade frosting works well or you can use ready-to-spread frosting if you wish.

6. Place one of the largest cookies on the plate. Put a dollop of frosting in the center of the cookie and spread it out. Set the other large cookie on top of the first cookie. Make sure the star points alternate.

7. Repeat Step 6 with all the remaining cookies. Use progressively smaller cookies as you move up the tree.

8. Put a dab of frosting on each star point when you finish stacking the cookies to make the tree. Decorate each bit of frosting with your choice of small candies. Remember also to decorate the top of the tree with a special candy of some sort.