Lemon Shortbread Trees

Name: Lemon Shortbread Trees
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 3-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 22 pretzel sticks; ROYAL ICING:; 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 10 teaspoons water; 4 teaspoons meringue powder; Red and green paste food coloring; Assorted sprinkles

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + standing YIELD: 3-1/2 dozen.

Here's a fun holiday recipe children can help with. And no cookie cutters are needed! I just shape the dough into a triangular log, refrigerate it and cut it into tree-shaped slices to bake and decorate. Broken pretzel sticks form the tree trunks. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
22 pretzel sticks
ROYAL ICING:
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
10 teaspoons water
4 teaspoons meringue powder
Red and green paste food coloring
Assorted sprinkles

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, confectioners' sugar and cornstarch until light and fluffy. Beat in lemon zest and juice. Gradually add flour and mix well.
2. Divide dough into two portions; shape each into two 6-in. logs. Flatten top and push in sides at an angle to form a 2x2x1-1/2-in.-triangle. Wrap and chill until firm, for 4 hours.
3. Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Break pretzel sticks in half; press into short side of each cookie for tree trunk. Bake at 350° 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4. In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Remove 1 cup and tint red. Tint remaining icing green. (Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth.)
5. Frost and decorate cookies as desired. Let dry at room temperature for several hours or until firm. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 97 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 37mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.