3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

These cookies are not only delicious but also a fun way to create edible holiday decorations! Here’s how to make them step by step.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp meringue powder or 2 egg whites
• 5–6 tbsp water
• Green gel food coloring
• Optional: White gel food coloring for snowy accents

For Decoration:

• Edible glitter
• Mini star-shaped candies (for the tree topper)
• Sprinkles, pearls, or sanding sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookies

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy (2–3 minutes). Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until combined.
   • Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough:
   Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour. This prevents spreading.
3. Cut the Shapes:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
   • Roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use graduated star-shaped cookie cutters (3–4 sizes) to cut out the cookies. You’ll need at least 2 of each size per tree.
   • Optional: Use a small round cutter to cut a hole in the center of one cookie per size if you want your trees to stand upright on rods or skewers.
4. Bake:
   Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on wire racks.

Step 2: Make the Royal Icing

1. Mix the Icing:
   • In a bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add water one tablespoon at a time until the icing reaches a thick but pipeable consistency.
2. Color the Icing:
   Divide the icing into two portions. Tint one portion green and leave the other white for snow accents.
3. Prepare Piping Bags:
   Fit piping bags with small round tips and fill with the icing.

Step 3: Assemble the 3D Trees

1. Decorate the Cookies:
   Pipe green icing onto the cookies to create tree “branches.” Add sprinkles, pearls, or glitter for ornaments. Let the icing set completely.
2. Stack the Cookies:
   • Arrange cookies from largest to smallest, stacking them with a small dab of green icing in the center to hold them together. Rotate each layer slightly to create a “tree” effect.
   • Optional: If using rods or skewers, thread the cookies onto them through the central hole before stacking.
3. Add Snow Accents:
   Use white icing to pipe snow details on the edges of the cookies or add dots to resemble snowfall.
4. Top with a Star:
   Place a mini star candy at the top of each tree.

Tips for Success

• Even Edges: Roll out dough evenly to ensure uniform cookie thickness.
• Perfect Icing Consistency: Adjust the royal icing’s thickness with small amounts of water or powdered sugar.
• Storage: Store assembled trees in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

These 3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies make an impressive addition to any holiday table and are perfect as edible gifts!