Christmas tree cookie bars… the Studio DIY way!!! I like to call them technicolor rainbow unicorn Christmas trees, but you can pick your own adjective of choice. 😉 Ever since I was little, I’ve seen brownies and cookies shapes like cute little trees with candy cane trunks and it was so fun to give the idea a colorful makeover!!! Have you ever made any!?
Technicolor Christmas Tree Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- For the sugar cookie bars:
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 17.5 oz package sugar cookie mix
- 1 egg
- Bright candy canes about 3 to 5
- For the buttercream:
- 1/3 cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
- Gold star sprinkles
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix together the butter, sugar cookie mix and egg till a soft dough forms.
- Press dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, till lightly browned. Let cool completely
- Remove from pan. Cut in half long ways to form 2 long rectangles. Cut each rectangle into about 5 to 7 triangles.
- Break the candy canes into 1-inch pieces. Gently stick the candy cane into the bottom of each triangle. Use a little frosting to help the candy canes stick if needed.
- Next, make the buttercream. In the bowl of a strand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter till smooth.
- Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix. Add in the milk as needed to get a light fluffy texture. Continue to beat on medium for 1 more minute.
- Divide frosting into 6 small bowls. Color each with food coloring; bright pink, mint green, bright blue, yellow, orange, and light purple.
- Place small drops of the different colored frosting onto the triangles. Using a small offset spatula, lightly smear and blend the colors into each other a little till you get a tie dye pattern and the top of the cookie is completely covered. It is okay if it is a bit bumpy. Place in the fridge to chill.
- Once the frosting sets, you can place a layer of plastic wrap right over the frosted cookie and use your fingers to press down the bumpy frosting to create a smooth technicolor surface.
- Using the bright pink frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, pipe the swag on the cookie tree from top to bottom. Finish with a sprinkle of gold stars.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Recipe by Theresa Rountree
Those rainbow candy canes REALLY make my heart explode.
I would also like to go on record saying that I think bars are superior to cookies. My mom always makes chocolate chip bars instead of cookies and it’s the best. If you’re the kind of person that likes middles, that is. If you like edges… I don’t know what you’re doing with your life. (Kidding… sort of.)
p.s. Tie Dye Yule Log Cake!
Michelle says
They’re so colourful, I love them!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Kelly says
Thanks!
Jessica says
Colorful food is just the best! x
Jessica — NinetyCo
Kelly says
I HAVE to agree!
Kristina B says
Um speaking for the Edge Contingent…aren’t you GRATEFUL that we are leaving you the middles? It’s a perfect partnership unless the Middle People are hostile…
Kelly says
Did you know there’s a pan that makes ONLY EDGE PIECES?! Seriously made for you!!
LINK: http://amzn.to/2haBxsq
Kristina B says
I HAVE seen that! Shall I make some and send to you? BAHAHA
JulieD says
These are absolutely amazing!!!!!! Love!!
Rachael says
These are calling out to my inner 13 year old who loves everything rainbow coloured!! Seriously if i’m sick all i want is rainbow ice cream.
M says
Hey! Just wondering, I want to be a chef when I’m older, but this whole thing is new. I was going to make some truffles with colorful frosting around and saw this wonderful recipe, and have this question- Does the frosting harden? If so, this will work perfectly! Thank you!
K says
Will this work if I use non dairy butter and non dairy milk?