Swirly Tree Cookies

Swirly Tree Cookies

1 roll (16.5 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookies
1/4 cup flour
Miniature candy-coated chocolate
baking bits, if desired
Green sugar or green decorator sugar
crystals, if desired

Heat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, break up the cookie dough. Stir or knead in the flour until well blended. Divided the dough into 2 equal portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Freeze for 10 minutes. Shape 1 portion of the dough into 1-inch balls. With your fingers, roll each ball into a 10-inch rope, about 1/4 inch wide. Break off a small piece from each rope for the tree trunk. Carefully place the ropes on ungreased cookie sheets.

With each rope, starting at the top, twist the rope back and forth into tree shapes, gradually making the rope larger at the bottoms. The rows of dough should touch. If the rope breaks, just press the dough back together. Place a small piece at the bottom of each tree for the trunk. Repeat with the remaining portion of the dough. Decorate the tree with baking bits to look like ornaments or lights. Place a baking bit at the top of each tree for the star. Sprinkle with sugar crystals. Bake for 9 to 13 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown. Cool for 1 minute. Remove from the cookie sheets to cooling racks to cool completely. Makes 20 large cookies