Gingerbread Cookie Christmas Tree Decorating Guide

Gingerbread cookies have been a beloved holiday treat for centuries, and what better way to showcase them than as a Christmas tree? Creating a gingerbread cookie Christmas tree is a fun and delicious way to get into the holiday spirit. Not only is it a unique and impressive dessert, but it's also a great activity to enjoy with family and friends.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a stunning gingerbread cookie Christmas tree, from baking the cookies to decorating the final masterpiece. So, grab your apron and let's get started!

Step 1: Baking the Gingerbread Cookies

The foundation of your gingerbread cookie Christmas tree is, of course, the cookies themselves. To make the perfect gingerbread cookies, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Water, as needed

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut out the desired shapes for your Christmas tree. You'll need a variety of shapes and sizes to create a balanced tree.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 2: Preparing the Royal Icing

Royal icing is a crucial component of your gingerbread cookie Christmas tree, as it will hold the cookies together and provide a smooth surface for decorating. To make royal icing, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 2 tablespoons water
• Food coloring (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add the water, whisking until smooth and stiff. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to tint the icing.

Step 3: Assembling the Christmas Tree

To assemble the Christmas tree, you'll need to "glue" the cookies together using the royal icing. Start by piping a small amount of icing onto the bottom of the largest cookie. Place the cookie on a serving plate or cake stand.

Continue piping icing onto the bottom of each cookie, stacking them on top of each other to form the tree shape. Make sure to leave a small gap between each cookie to allow for even spacing.

Step 4: Decorating the Christmas Tree

The fun part – decorating the Christmas tree! You can use a variety of decorations, such as:

• Candy canes
• M&M's
• Sprinkles
• Edible glitter
• Fondant

Get creative and have fun with it! You can also use royal icing to create intricate designs and patterns on the cookies.

Gallery of Gingerbread Cookie Christmas Trees

We hope this guide has inspired you to create a stunning gingerbread cookie Christmas tree that will be the centerpiece of your holiday celebration. Remember to have fun and be creative with your decorations!

Gallery of Gingerbread Cookie Christmas Tree Decorating Guide