3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies
These cookies combine classic gingerbread flavor with a creative twist. Star shaped cookies stack into beautiful edible trees that are fun to decorate. Making 3D gingerbread tree cookies is a tasty holiday activity for all ages.
Servings: 12
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ Cups all purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
- ¾ Teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 Teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ Teaspoon salt
- ¾ Cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- ¾ Cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- ¾ Cup molasses
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 Cups white royal icing for decorating
- assorted Christmas sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Set aside for later.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl to the stand mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar on high until smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Add the egg, molasses and vanilla and continue beating on high until just blended, about 2 minutes. The dough will look a little strange and may appear that it is separating. This is completely expected and will change as you add the flour mixture.
- Add the flour mixture slowly as you keep beating on high until a dough starts to form.
- Split the dough in half and wrap each in plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to chill for an hour. This makes it easier to roll out.
- Roll the chilled dough to a ¼-inch thickness. Use the template and a knife to cut out the 2 shapes. You will need one of each shape to make 1 tree.
- Place the dough cutouts onto the prepared cookie sheet approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches apart. Put the entire cookie sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes. This is done to keep the shapes intact, otherwise the butter will melt too much in the oven and the shape will spread.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 9 to 10 minutes. The cookies will be puffy when you first pull them out. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- If the shape needs to be trimmed now is the time to do it, when it is warm. If necessary, trim the cookie with a sharp knife to ensure the two pieces will fit together. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Now comes the fun part! Ice and decorate one side of each cookie. Allow the icing to set. Flip the cookies over and ice the other side and allow the other side to set. Setting time is completely dependent on the brand of royal icing you are using.
- Slid the 2 cookies together and stand them up. This makes a wonderful and tasty Christmas centerpiece.
Notes
Chill thoroughly: Cold dough rolls cleanly and holds crisp edges when baking.
Cut evenly: Use uniform star cutters so the tree stacks neatly.
Cool completely: Assemble only when cookies are fully cooled to prevent icing from melting.
Secure layers: Use enough icing between cookies to keep the tree stable.
Cut evenly: Use uniform star cutters so the tree stacks neatly.
Cool completely: Assemble only when cookies are fully cooled to prevent icing from melting.
Secure layers: Use enough icing between cookies to keep the tree stable.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg
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