Sugar Cookie Trees

Cookie Trees

COOKIES

• 3/4 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. almondt extract
• 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
   

FROSTING

• 1 c. butter
• 4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp. water or milk
• Green gel icing color
• 2-3 tbsp. red and white pearl sprinkles
• 16-18 yellow star sprinkles
   

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350º and line two cookie sheets with parchment.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla and almond extracts.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
6. Dough will be thick.Make three sizes of cookie dough balls: 1 teaspoon, 2 teaspoons, and 3 teaspoons. (You should have an even number of each.)
7. Place medium and large cookies on a cookie sheet and press down slightly on each.
8. Bake until center looks mostly cooked, 7 to 8 minutes.
9. Place smallest balls of dough on another cookie sheet and press down slightly.
10. Bake until center looks mostly cooked, 5 to 6 minutes.
11. When cookies are done, remove from oven and let cool 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a cookie rack to finish cooling.

Make frosting:

1. Beat butter until smooth.
2. Add half the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
3. Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons water and mix until smooth.
4. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
5. Add green gel icing color to frosting and mix until your desired shade of green.