Kids Craft: Christmas Tree Cones

How is Christmas TEN days away?  It feels like December is flying by as I am preparing for Christmas, cookie exchanges, family dinners, birthdays, baking and more!  But I love it!

One of the fun activities I had the opportunity to organize this month was a Sugar Cone Christmas Tree craft for our youth group kids.  It is similar to decorating Gingerbread houses but it requires a lot less skill and patience.  (read: a quick edible craft for kids!)  And it was a perfect way for us to end our "Cool Kids" meetings before Christmas!

Supplies
1- package Sugar Cones
1- batch of green butter cream frosting  (see recipe below)
M&Ms
Sprinkles
Red Hots/etc
paper plates

Be forewarned: plan for some of the sugar cones to be broken and buy accordingly.  We usually have 12 kids, so I bought two packages.  (Also, if you aren't into making butter cream frosting yourself, you can now buy Pillsbury Vibrant Green frosting in the baking section of the grocery store.)

Start by flipping the cones upside down and lining the edge with frosting so it will stick to a paper plate.  Carefully spread frosting all over the cone.  If you are feeling creative, spoon frosting into a pastry bag (or a zip lock), snip a small hole at the corner of the bag and pipe the frosting over your base layer in stripes, zigzags or scallops.  Next, have fun decorating the cone with an assortment of colorful confections!  All the candy will adhere to the frosting when it dries. 

Butter Cream Frosting Recipe

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until it is smooth and creamy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, slowly add 6 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Mix until the frosting is light and fluffy.  Add remaining 2 cups sugar to reach the desired consistency.  Recipe quantities can be increased or decreased without compromising frosting quality.

Enjoy!

photo credit:  www.sheknows.com