Star cookie tree (edible Christmas tree with star-shaped cookies)
Ingredients & supplies
Cookie dough
Decorating frosting
Colored candies
Styrofoam [covered with foil on cookie side]
Center support (candle, dowel or wooden stick), 1/2 inch in diameter and 11 inches long
1. Make two recipes of Swedish Ginger cookie dough [recipe below]. Refrigerate.
2. Make star pattern.
3. Place pattern on dough which has been rolled 1/4 inch thick.
4. Cut around pattern with knife. Make 10 stars of graduated sizes.
5. Cut 3/4 inch hole in center of each star.
6. Make six 2-1/2 inch, six 2-inch, and six 1-inch round cookies. Cut 3/4 inch hole in center of each.
7. Make another cooky star for top of tree as indicated on opposite page. (To make star for top of tree: Place wire or toothpick in center of small cookie star and bake.)
8. Bake as directed in recipe. Cool.
9. Frost edges of stars with Decorating Frosting. See page 5. Trim with colored candies. Allow frosting to dry.
10. Place center support in Styrofoam base that is about 4-1/2 inches in diameter.
11. Assemble as illustrated…
Swedish ginger cookies recipe (to make star cookies for edible Christmas tree)
Ingredients
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
6 tablespoons cream
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons cream
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
Directions
1. Boil syrup one minute. Cool slightly. Add sugar, butter, cream and spices. Dissolve soda in 2 tablespoons cream. Add to syrup mixture. Blend in flour. Refrigerate.
2. Roll 1/3 inch thick on floured canvas. Cut into desired shapes. Place on greased cookie sheets. Decorate before baking or frost and decorate when cookies are cool.
3. Bake at 350 degrees 10 to 15 minutes, depending on size and thickness of cookie.
Decorating frosting
Ingredients
2 egg whites [Editor’s note from 2018: Raw eggs are not considered safe – try using meringue powder instead]
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Assortment of food colors
Directions
1. Beat egg whites until they hold a soft peak. Add sugar gradually. Beat until sugar is dissolved and frosting stands in peaks.
2. Add syrup. Beat one minute.
3. Use food coloring to get desired color.
4. Add a few drops of water if a thinner frosting is desired.
5. Keep frosting well-covered when not in use.
