Gingerbread Christmas Cookie Tree

Have you ever made a gingerbread Christmas tree before? Maybe not.  I bet you’ve made a gingerbread house, though.  And dealt with the mess, the frustration, and the less-than-satisfactory final result.  I’ve made gingerbread trees multiple years (you’ll see a few of the years represented here) for a fun centerpiece in the kitchen or on the dining room table.

This gingerbread Christmas tree is much, much easier than a gingerbread house.

It’s requires only gingerbread cookie dough and frosting. The best part of this tree is that the gingerbread isn’t cut into fancy shapes and doesn’t use cookie cutters or any such things. Simply cut squares (or use various sized stars, like I did) a bit larger in size from one another and stack them up with frosting in between as your “glue”.

Necessary items for a Gingerbread Cookie Tree:

• Gingerbread cookies Cut your gingerbread cookies into the same (or similar) shapes of varying sizes.
• Icing or Frosting You need a frosting or icing that will keep your structure stable. If it’s fairly small or if you are making a tree with kids it might be fine to use traditional frosting. However, royal icing is best for when you want REALLY good good glueing power.

We use our basic gingerbread cookie recipe for the cookies. This is the best gingerbread cookie we have ever tried, eaten, or any such thing. We highly recommend giving it a try! We recommend using Royal Icing when creating a gingerbread structure. It really is like glue. However, feel free to use a tub of frosting.

A gingerbread Christmas tree party would be absolutely fantastic for a Saturday afternoon activity with the kids or grandkids. Gather up some frosting, gingerbread dough, and sprinkles and let those kids go at it! Have the cookies made in advance to make it even faster.

We used gingerbread stars for the top of our tree but small candies, cherries, chocolate stars, etc. would be a fun alternative! The best part of these is the fun in decorating how you want!

To decorate your gingerbread cookie tree:

• A simple shake of powdered sugar can be enough.
• Try dripping icing off the “branches” to look like snow.
• Nonpareils (little edible balls) placed on the icing before it dries looks amazing!
• Perhaps a sprinkling of silver or gold edible glitter would be a festive touch.

Best Gingerbread Cookies

| 24 cookies

Prep Time | 10 minutes mins

Cook Time | 15 minutes mins

Total Time | 25 minutes mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Easy gingerbread cookie recipes full of flavor and the perfect snap. Easy to make and great for decorating!

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup molasses use dark for stronger flavor, light for a lighter flavor
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 1/2 cups flour or until it’s good to roll out

Check out our Kitchen Reference Guide for help with unfamiliar terms.

Instructions

• Beat shortening on medium speed for about 45 seconds, until light and fluffy.
• Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Beat until combined.
• Add molasses, egg, & vinegar. Beat until combined.
• Add 2 cups of the flour and beat until combined.
• Beat in the remainder, if you can. Otherwise stir it in.
• Cover and chill the dough for at least 3 hours (you can leave it overnight, too!)
• —-For basic cookies roll the dough into 2 inch balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Press down gently (use the bottom of a cup covered in sugar, for a bonus!)
• —-For cut-outs roll the dough (about 1/2 at a time) on to a lightly floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out.
• Bake cookies at 375 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes or edges are slightly brown. Cool before icing or frosting.