LEMON SHORTBREAD TREES

Lemon Shortbread Trees image

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

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

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

Steps:

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., 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., 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., 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.), Frost and decorate cookies as desired. Let dry at room temperature for several hours or until firm. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 97 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 37mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.