Description
These whimsical Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees are festive, fun, and entirely edible. Made from sugar cones, frosting, cookies, and candies, they’re a delightful hands-on holiday project that’s perfect for all ages — no oven required!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 sugar cones
- 1½ cups green icing (store-bought or homemade buttercream)
- 4 sugar cookies (for the base)
- 4 candy star sprinkles (for the tree toppers)
- 2 tablespoons white sugar sprinkles
- Assorted sprinkles and decorations (M&Ms, nonpareils, jimmies, edible glitter)
- Assorted candies for filling (peppermints, M&Ms, Skittles, or any favorites)
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or set out a large plate to hold your finished trees. This makes cleanup easier and gives you space to decorate freely.
- Fill the cones: Turn each sugar cone upside down (point side up). Fill the inside with small candies such as M&Ms, peppermints, or Skittles. This adds a fun surprise inside the “tree.”
- Attach the base: Spread a thin layer of green icing on the rim of the cone and gently press it onto the flat side of a sugar cookie. This forms the sturdy base of your tree.
- Frost the cone: Using a small spatula or piping bag, coat the entire outside of the cone with green icing. You can swirl it to look like branches or use a star tip to pipe textured “needles.”
- Decorate the tree: While the icing is still soft, press on sprinkles, mini candies, and edible pearls to look like ornaments. Add sugar sprinkles for a snowy effect.
- Top it off: Finish each tree with a candy star on top.
- Let set: Allow the icing to firm up for about 15 minutes before moving or packaging.
Notes
Active time: about 25 minutes; passive time: optional 15 minutes for setting.
You can use royal icing for a firmer finish if you plan to display them for longer.
To make them more stable, attach the cookie base to the serving tray with a small dab of icing.
Kids love this project — set out bowls of candy and let them personalize their trees.