Irish Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

Method12 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350oF (180oC).

2. 2

   Step 2: In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the room temperature butter and sugar until they are light and pale in color.

   Uses 1 1/2 cups (12oz, 345g) butter, at room temperature · 1 cup (7.5 oz/216 g) granulated sugar, for cookie dough

3. 3

   Step 3: Add the vanilla (1 teaspoon).

   Uses creamed butter and sugar · 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4. 4

   Step 4: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt (1/4 teaspoon), then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 60 minutes.

   Uses 3 1/2 cups (1lb 1/2oz, 469g) all-purpose flour · 1/4 teaspoon salt · vanilla butter mixture · all-purpose flour, as needed for dusting

5. 5

   Step 5: Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut using star cutters. Here is where I bought them: https://bit.ly/starcutters

   Uses chilled shortbread dough

6. 6

   Step 6: Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the edges begin to brown lightly. Allow to cool to room temperature.

   Bake Cookies · 20 minUses cut star cookies · granulated sugar, as needed for sprinkling

7. 7

   Step 7: To make your frosting: Mix your confectioners sugar with a few drops of water and stir. Take care to not add too much for it will be really hard to get it thick again.

   Uses 1 cup (41/2oz, 127g) confectioners sugar (icing sugar) · water, a few drops at a time to make thick icing

8. 8

   Step 8: In seperate bowls, add the food dye to reach desired color of green and yellow.

   Uses prepared icing · green and yellow food dye

9. 9

   Step 9: Frost each cookie for the trees. Make sure to save some small stars to be dyed yellow to go on top. Leave to dry.

   Uses cooled star cookies · green and yellow icing

10. 10

    Step 10: Stack the cookies on top of each other binding each layer with a drop of frosting.

    Uses iced star cookies · remaining icing for binding

11. 11

    Step 11: Once dry, place your pearl decorations on the points of the stars.

    Uses stacked cookie trees · Red edible pearl decorations

12. 12

    Step 12: Finish the tree by placing the star on top!!! Enjoy this cookie :)

    Uses decorated cookie trees