Introduction: Realistic Tree Cookies

About: I'm a Designer, Creator, Inventor. #1 Hobby - brainstorming. I invented the Unicorn Poop cookie, as published here on instructables. And now I am a metalsmith. <3
I had set out to find a good idea for decorating a tree cookie, that looked as natural as possible.  Something that wasn't over-the-top and it would be elegant at the same time.  When I was looking on pinterest for inspiration, I found this link...Of course, it was one of those traps that leave you at a dead end!

So I had to study and try to figure it out on my own.  :)  Here is what I came up with.

Step 1: Tools

You will need some baked , tree sugar cookies.
Green royal icing in a piping bag, with...
Grass piping tip.
Powdered sugar for snow.
Brown royal icing for tree trunks.
Toothpick to clean up excess icing.

Step 2: Begin Your Trees.

First, make sure to pipe your tree trunks so that you can cover them a little with the tree.  Let them dry for a couple hours.

I felt most comfortable with turning the cookie upside down and piping the tree-needles up.  That allowed them to lay flat and gave me space to move down the tree from there.

You want to have your royal icing as thick as the recipe makes it to be.  Don't water it down.  In order to keep the shape of the tree, the icing will have to be stiff enough to hold it's shape once you're done piping it.

Gradually move your way down the tree, layering your piping.  Don't leave any gaps and make sure to just pipe naturally.  It's okay to have imperfections because we are all from nature!

To clean up any edges with icing coming off the cookie face, just press down with a toothpick as if you are cutting the excess off.  This will let it dry as it needs to later, with minimal crumbs from broken icing later!

Step 3: If Your Tip Isn't So Grassy...

You may need to clean up after your icing tip once in a while.  I have NO idea why this happens.  It's my first time using the grass tip!  BUT, I think that the tip gets clogged and it doesn't allow for segregated strips of "grass" lines...so you have to kinda clean up the edges so it pipes well again.  No obstructions.  

In order to fix this effect on the cookie, just use your toothpick and scrape all over.  That will take it from the totally controlled look, to the freestyle-wavy tree effect.  Maybe you prefer this, I'm not sure.  You can decide!

Then leave them to dry overnight.  :)

Step 4: Let It Snow!

I tried, initially, to sprinkle the powdered sugar onto the trees before they had dried...BuUut...the powdered sugar got into the icing and absorbed lol.  Best to wait for them to dry.

Then you can sprinkle the "snow" on them before packaging.  These work very well and even though they are simple, they impress people! :)  If you want, you can pick ornamental sprinkles and stars to put on your trees.  :)