To make this tree you’ll need a set of different sized star shaped cookie cutters. The result is a yummy stacked Christmas tree that is iced like snow.

What you’ll need…

Cookies

115 g baking margarine or butter 

1 C (250 ml) sugar

1 large egg

2 C (250 ml) flour

1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) salt

1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder

1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract or half a vanilla pod, seeds scraped out

Icing

100 g icing sugar
a few drops of warm water
green food colouring

Decor

Assorted candy decoration
food-safe glitter / sprinkles
marshmallows

To make… 

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C.

In a stand mixer beat the  butter and sugar until well combined, the mixture should be light in colour and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat in, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and with the machine on slow, add the flour mixture. Beat until the dough comes together.

Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

When ready to roll,  flour your (or your helpers) hands as well as a sheet of baking paper. Place the dough ball onto the paper and flatten with the heel of your hand into a disk. Cover with another sheet of baking paper and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to an even thickness all around – about 3-4 mm thick all round. The edges tend to be thinner so cut your wreaths closer to the centre of the dough. If possible cut on the sheet of paper you are working on and lift this sheet onto a tray to bake, this way you won’t need to lift the stars which can result in them losing their shape. *Note the colder your dough the easier it will be to work with.

Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 10 minutes until a pale golden brown.

Separate the icing sugar into 2 bowls / cups. Make the icing by mixing a few drops of water and mixing to reach a thick consistency. Add drops of green colouring to one mixture and leave the other one white. Use a side plate or a small foil covered disk to build your tree.

Start with green ‘grass’ on the bottom, then start stacking your stars starting with the largest and working up to the smallest. Use a small slice of marshmallow in between the layers to create height if you want. Sandwich the layers together one by one with icing.

Finish by decorating with edible glitter and sweetie decor.

Admire and then eat!