In lieu of Christmas Cookie Boxes this year, I decided to create and gift 3D-Christmas trees. They are a statement, and an edible centrepiece. They are beautiful on a dessert buffet table, or as a decorative element to any table. Placed in a wrapped box, they are truly an exceptional gift to send and receive. I even travelled with one to Palm Springs!
Much like a gingerbread house, a 3D Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Tree can be used as a decoration, and then dis-assembled and eaten later, during the holiday.
I have made these 3D Christmas Cookie Trees a few times now with different cookie recipes, but think that I have finally found the perfect cookie recipe to build these stunning 3D trees - a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Dough (adapted from here). The dough is lightly spiced and is a lovely golden brown colour which contrasts nicely with the white royal icing, crystal sprinkles, white non-pareils and pearl dragées. The cookie itself is very tasty. It is firm enough to stack into a 3D tree and remain intact, yet soft enough to bite into, like a sugar cookie should be. Feel free to use a favourite sugar cookie or gingerbread recipe if you prefer.
On one of the trees, I decided to add some additional accent colour using green royal icing. The 3D cookie trees would also look lovely with green royal icing, instead of the white, for more of a traditional look.
To make the 3D trees I recommend using a set of 10 piece graduated star cookie cutter set. My set, a Kransekake cookie cutter set from Williams Sonoma (similar set found here) worked wonderfully. To build one tree (about 12 inches high), you need 2 of each sized cookie. To build 2 trees, you need 4 of each sized cookie, etc.
In total, I tripled the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Sugar Cookie recipe (below), to make 40 star cookies (4 of each sized star cutter), or enough stars for 2- 3D Christmas Cookie Trees.
It's best to bake the cookies ahead of time, decorate the cookies, let them dry and then finally stack and build the 3D Christmas trees.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Sugar Cookie 3D Christmas Trees
(Adapted from Martha Stewart by Thomas Joseph on Instagram)
(Triple recipe for 40 stars of different shape)
Ingredients
For the Cookies
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 stick salted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
For the Icing
1 batch of Royal Icing, daming consistency (ribbon thickness), poured into a plastic decorating bottle (like these) with a thin tip.
*Tip: Reserve some icing in a separate bowl to colour with gel colours, if using an accent colour
*While I usually make my own royal icing using this recipe, this time, I used a package, similar to this.
To Decorate
sugar crystals
pearl dragées (different sizes)
white non-pareils
white gel food colouring
green gel food colouring
toothpicks
Method
In a stand-mixer, cream together two sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, and mix together. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients to butter/sugar mixture and mix until just combined. Form dough into a disc and wrap with cling wrap. Chill for one hour or until ready to use. Dough can keep in refrigerator for 2-3 days.
When ready to use, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove dough from refrigerator and allow to warm for 10-15 minutes. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thick and cut-out stars using graduated cookie cutters. Place cut stars onto a lined baking sheet and chill in freezer for 10 minutes, or in the fridge for 20 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to pre-heated oven and cook for 15 minutes or until golden around cookie edges.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
*Tip: If decorating later, carefully stack completely cooled cookies and store in an air-tight container until ready to decorate and combine. Cookies can be frozen at this point if made more than 1-2 days in advance. Defrost prior to decorating.
To Decorate:
Take cooled cookies and get creative. I outlined, did polka dots, piped snowflakes and filled-in each of the cookie rows in a bit of a pattern, alternating with adding crystals, non-pareils full icing and pearls. On one of the cookie trees, I added green polka dot accents on the tip of every third cookie and tucked some green squiggles throughout. It's really up to you how you decorate, so get creative! I do advise that you let your icing dry before you try to stack the cookies, otherwise the icing could drip and not look as polished around your cookie edges.
To Assemble:
Take 2 of each sized cookie. Lay largest cookie down on a flat surface. Add a dollop of royal icing in the middle. Set the second cookie (same size as the first) with off-set points and hold down for 10 seconds. Repeat with other nine layers. Ensure that cookies are stacked straight and not leaning to one side.
For the top cookie, I put a small amount of royal icing on the second last cookie and stacked the smallest cookie standing upright on it's two bottom points. Hold for 10-20 seconds to allow icing to harden, holding tree "star" in place.
I hope you enjoy my Christmas 3D cookie tree treat! Your friends and family will love receiving this stunning 3D Brown Sugar Cinnamon Christmas Tree this holiday season. The cookies are as tasty, as the tree is beautiful.
Happy Gifting!
Enjoy,
Krista
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