A fun and easy alternative to the classic gingerbread house, this giant Christmas tree cookie can be baked and decorated with the youngest of Santa’s little helpers. Makes 24 servings.

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 large egg
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tube (.67 oz.) green gel food color
1 container (16 oz.) ready-to-spread vanilla frosting
1 container (16 oz.) ready-to-spread chocolate frosting
Holiday sprinkles and candies for decorating

1.    Heat oven to 375°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil; set aside.

2.    In a large bowl, mix powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract and egg until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar until soft dough forms. With damp fingers, press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3.    Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown; cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4.    Cut a large tree shape from the baked cookie. Cut the remaining cookie pieces into a star to add to the top of the tree and several squares for gift boxes to place below the tree. Carefully transfer cookies to a large cutting board or serving platter.

5.    Stir green food color into the vanilla frosting container and decorate cookies as desired with frosting and holiday sprinkles.