Cookie Tree

For the Cookies:

1. Preheat to 375F.
2. Cream butter and sugar together.
3. Add eggs one at a time then the vanilla extract while mixing on low, scrape the bowl down.
4. On low, mix in flour, cornstarch and salt.
5. Separate dough into two parts. Wrap in plastic and chill for about an hour. 
6. Roll out between two pieces of parchment paper.
7. Roll to between ½ and 1/4 inch thickness.
8. With a cookie cutter, cut out star shapes.
9. Place stars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
10. Bake for about 12 minutes.
11. Allow cookies to cool on their baking sheet until room temperature.

For the Buttercream:

1. Cream the butter If you're using a stand mixer you'll want the paddle attachment for this part.
2. Sift in half the confectioner’s sugar and mix on low. Scrape the bowl down and sift in the remaining sugar then mix once more.
3. Add the vanilla and then the cream a tablespoon at a time. Beat until you have an even, fluffy consistency. Mix in food coloring until you have the desired color.
4. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a size 30 star tip.

For the Assembly:

1. Use the buttercream as glue between each layer.
2. Start by piping buttercream to the bottom of a medium sized star.
3. Place star in the middle of a cake stand and press.
4. Alternate sizes between small and large stars to create a layered look to ascends into a tree. Save a small star for the tree topper.
5. Once you’re finished stacking, pipe buttercream onto each branch.
6. Add ornament decorations. I used Christmas color chocolate balls to decorate with. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

For the Star:

1. Mix milk and powdered sugar together to create a glaze.
2. Paint the glaze onto the cookie using a paintbrush.
3. Place a sheet of gold leaf over the the cookie.
4. Flatten with brush and smooth out.
5. Pipe buttercream to the top star.
6. Place gold star as the tree topper.