Gingerbread Star Tree

Our home economists created this impressive, tasty cookie tree for the 2008 Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook. Guests can nibble on the gingerbread cookies as they talk and mingle at your festive gathering. For more information, go to shop.tasteofhome.com.

36 ServingsPrep: 2 hours + standing Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling

Ingredients

DOUGH:
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
1-1/3 cups molasses
2 cups cold butter, cubed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
8 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
ROYAL ICING AND DECORATIONS:
7-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
6 tablespoons meringue powder, divided
10 tablespoons warm water, divided
Edible glitter
Candy of your choice
Dark chocolate and white candy coating, melted
EQUIPMENT:
Pencil
Ruler
Waxed paper

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Gingerbread Star Tree (continued)

Ingredients (continued)

Scissors
Cookie cutters—round (2-1/2 inches, 2 inches and 1-1/2 inches) and star-shaped (3 inches, 2 inches and 1 inch)
#101 petal pastry tip

Directions

To create star templates: With a pencil and ruler, draw five-pointed
stars on sheets of waxed paper, labeling each template with its
dimensions. Draw an 8-1/2-in. star, 8-in. star, 7-1/2-in. star,
7-1/4-in. star, 6-3/4-in. star, 6-in. star and 4-1/2-in. star. Cut
out with scissors and set aside.
To make dough: In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring brown
sugar and molasses just to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from
the heat; stir in butter until melted. Stir in eggs until blended.
Combine the remaining dough ingredients; stir into brown sugar
mixture. Divide dough into four portions.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion to 1/4-in.
thickness. Using templates, cut one 8-1/2-in. star, two 8-in. stars,
one 7-1/2-in. star, two 7-1/4-in. stars, one 6-3/4-in. star, two
6-in. stars and one 4-1/2-in. star. Place on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 325° for 12-15 minutes or until set. Remove to wire
racks to cool.
Cut two circles using a floured 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Cut 12
circles using a floured 2-in. round cookie cutter. Cut two circles
using a floured 1-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Cut remaining dough
using floured star-shaped cookie cutters. Reroll scraps. Place on
greased baking sheets. Bake at 325° for 10-12 minutes or until
set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For one batch of icing: In a large bowl, combine 3-3/4 cups
confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder and 5
tablespoons water; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on
high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Keep icing covered
at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high
speed to restore texture.
To assemble: With icing and round cookies, make six large sandwich
cookies and one small sandwich cookie. Let stand for 15 minutes or
until set.
Place the 8-1/2-in. star on a serving plate. Spread a small amount of
icing onto center of star; top with an 8-in. star. Spread a small
amount of icing onto center of star; top with a large sandwich
cookie. Spread a small amount of icing onto sandwich cookie; top
with remaining 8-in. star. Let stand for 15 minutes or until set.

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Gingerbread Star Tree (continued)

Directions (continued)

Repeat with remaining icing, sandwich cookies and stars, building
tree using the largest stars and sandwich cookies first. After each
star is added, let stand for 15 minutes or until set.
To decorate: Prepare a second batch of icing. Cut a small hole in the
corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert #101 petal tip. Fill bag
with icing. Decorate tree as desired with icing, edible glitter and
candy. Decorate a 2-in. star cookie as desired; secure on the
treetop with icing.
To decorate small star cookies: Dip cookies in melted candy coating;
place on waxed paper and let stand until set. Sprinkle white cookies
with edible glitter. Leave some cookies plain if desired. Gently
place cookies onto tree branches and on the serving platter. Yield:
1 gingerbread tree and 3 dozen small star cookies.

Editor's Note: Meringue powder and edible glitter are available from Wilton Industries. Call 1-800/794-5866 or visit www.wilton.com.

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Gingerbread Star Tree

Ingredients

Gingerbread Star Tree (continued)

Ingredients (continued)

Directions

Gingerbread Star Tree (continued)

Directions (continued)