Holiday Trees

Description
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Source: Southern Living 1998 Holiday Entertaining
 * Prep: 35 minutes | Stand 8 hours
 * Makes 3 trees

Ingredients

 * 1 (16-oz) package powdered sugar
 * 3 tbsp meringue powder
 * 6 tbsp warm water
 * 6 (4-inch) sugar ice-cream cones
 * 12 (5 inch) red and white candy canes, coarsely crushed
 * 12 (5 inch) green and white candy canes, coarsely crushed
 * edible glitter or sparkling sugar (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Beat powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 6 tbsp warm water at low speed with electric mixer until blended.
 * 2) Beat at high speed 4 – 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
 * 3) If icing is too stiff, add additional warm water, ¼ tsp at a time, until desired consistency.
 * 4) Spoon icing into a zip-top plastic bag, seal.
 * 5) Snip a ¼ inch hole in one corner of bag.
 * 6) Pipe 2 rows of points around 1 ice cream cone, beginning at large end and working upward to resemble a tree.
 * 7) Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and if desired, edible glitter or sparkling sugar.
 * 8) Invert two ice cream cones stacking one on top of the other, repeat decorating procedure.
 * 9) Invert remaining 3 ice cream cones stacking on on top of the other, repeat decorating procedure.
 * 10) Let stand 8 hours.
 * 11) Store in a cool dry place up to 1 month.

Note
For fuller trees, double icing recipe, and repeat piping procedure before adding crushed candy canes.