I've been doing some procrastinating lately, guys.
It's been the usual suspects. The laundry basket is overflowing. I've been staring at the same smudges on the bathroom mirror for days. There's a 90% chance there are some seriously wilted veggies hanging out in the fridge.
But one thing I haven't been putting off? The holiday season. Looooove it! Our (2 ft.) tree was lit and decorated before we even left for Thanksgiving, our balsam fir candle has been burning for weeks, and I've already watched The Santa Clause and Elf (my favs!).
Because, priorities.
One more thing I've already done? Make a Christmas Tree Rainbow Cookie Cake. Because Y-U-M.
Growing up, rainbow cookies were a staple on our table for any birthday or holiday, so it's no surprise that they quickly became my favorite cookie. EVER. Their layers are dense, spongy, and deliciously almond-flavored, with jam spread between the layers and dark chocolate on top. Little bars of perfection. If you've never tried a rainbow cookie, PLEASE try a rainbow cookie.
Since moving away from the NYC-metro area, I haven't been able to track down rainbow cookies as often. Because not having rainbow cookies is not an option, I've been making my own and having some festive fun (remember these chocolate covered Easter egg ones?) And since Christmas baking is all about the cookie, why not make a cake that's a cookie, too?
This exact recipe can make a lot of cookies OR one serious business Christmas tree cake and 15-20 cookies. Really it's all in how you slice and decorate it once the layers are assembled. The process of making rainbow cookies is certainly not the quickest - each cookie layer takes a turn baking in the oven, and then the assembled layers are refrigerated for a few hours. But the output? Worth it! You can feed the biggest crowd at your holiday festivities and still have leftovers to spare. Or a happy freezer. ♥
Aren't they cute? This recipe is open to a bunch of adaptations simply by switching up the shape and/or colors (traditionally the layers are reminiscent of the Italian flag). I've eaten (and enjoyed) rainbow cookies that use either raspberry or apricot jam, so feel free to pick the kind that you prefer. Some cookies have chocolate spread on the tops and bottoms, but no way, no how was I going to flip that tree over to attempt that. 🙂
Then I mean, sure I have a ton of sprinkles already, but I still couldn't resist picking up a big multi-variety container of Christmas ones, so I sprinkled them on top to add to the fa la la la laaaaa-ness of it all. I mean, they're a necessity, right? And the best kind to stock up on - non-perishable. (Like my justification of why they ended up in my cart?)
I have a feeling Christmas sprinkles will be sneaking their way into bowls of ice cream, festive fun pancakes, and even my morning bowl of yogurt if I'm really in need of a pick-me-up.
And more cookies, duh.
More rainbow cookie recipes
Christmas Tree Rainbow Cookie Cake
Ingredients
- 4 eggs, yolks and whites separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 8-oz container almond paste
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, softened (20 tablespoon total)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Red and green food coloring
- 1 cup raspberry preserves or jam
- 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- Decorations such as sprinkles (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9" x 13" rectangular pan, then press parchment paper to bottom of pan, leaving enough excess paper sticking up along the 9" sides so that you can lift cookie layer by them after baking. Grease top side of parchment paper, and set pan aside.
- Beat egg whites on medium-high speed using a mixer for several minutes until peaks form. Gradually add ¼ cup of the sugar to the egg whites until mixture holds stiff peaks, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, add almond paste and remaining ¾ cup sugar and mix on medium speed until almond paste is broken up and both ingredients are well combined. Add butter and mix for a few minutes until light and creamy. Pour in egg yolks and almond extract and mix for another few minutes. Lower mixer speed to low and add flour and salt. Beat until dry ingredients are just mixed in.
- Pour half of egg white mixture into butter mixture and fold in. Repeat with remaining half of egg white mixture.
- Separate dough into three equal sections and place each in a separate bowl. Add green coloring to two bowls and red coloring to the other. Stir in coloring.
- Spread dough from one of the bowls into the prepared baking pan and smooth top (batter layer will be very thinly-spread). Bake for 8-10 minutes (mine took about 8), until batter has just set and a toothpick comes out clean. Using excess parchment paper sticking out from beneath the cookie layer, lift layer out of pan and place on wire rack to cool. Press new parchment paper into pan and grease top, leaving excess on two sides as before. Bake next layer in the same manner as the first. Once done, repeat steps with remaining layer.
- Heat raspberry preserves in a small saucepan set over low heat until mixture is slightly heated throughout. Once cookies layers have cooled, invert one green layer onto a sheet of parchment paper, and peel off parchment paper that used to be on the bottom of the layer. Spread half of raspberry preserves evenly over green layer, then invert red layer on top. Peel parchment paper from top side and evenly spread second half of raspberry preserves over layer. Invert the remaining green layer on top and peel off parchment paper. Place a new layer of parchment paper over top of green layer, and wrap cookie layers with plastic wrap. Place a baking sheet on top of cookie layers and refrigerate overnight, or at least four hours.
- Once cookie layers have chilled, remove from refrigerator. Cut a Christmas tree shape from the cookie layers and reserve excess. Melt chocolate using a double boiler or in twenty-second intervals in the microwave, stirring after each interval. Spread a thin layer on top of the tree and excess pieces. Add decorations on top of melted chocolate and place back in the refrigerator until chocolate has set. Cut excess pieces into small bar cookie shapes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition DisclaimerAdapted from Smitten Kitchen's Seven-Layer Cookies
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I'm completely obsessed with rainbow cookies!!! Like, #obsessed. This is AMAZING!!!!!! I really really really want to try and make this!
Alyssa says
#totallyobsessed. They're SO GOOD!! I miss how easily available they were in NJ/NY, but that just means I can be creative in the kitchen and make them myself! You'd love these Chris. And a cake like this is actually easier to make than cookies - less slicing!
Monica says
Hi Alyssa! I just love this! I made my Christmas batch of rainbow cookies last night and it reminded me to visit your site and I'm so happy I did. This is beyond cute and we know it's delicious! Happy Holidays!
Alyssa says
Hi Monica - ooh I knew you would! Thanks so much, we definitely know these are special cookies. 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and your family too!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This cookie cake and the cookies look beyond amazing! I have always wanted to make rainbow cookies but a rainbow cookie cake is even better! Love how pretty and festive they are!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kelly! I will take any excuse I can get to eat rainbow cookies...even if that means making them myself! Truthfully making a cake from most of the batch is actually easier than cookies here...much less cutting! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Cute cake Alyssa! So festive for the holidays!
Alyssa says
Thanks so much Kristi! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
The Santa Clause and Elf are some of my favorite Christmas movies, too (along with Christmas Vacation and Home Alone). These cookies look like the perfect treat to snack on while watching a movie. They're absolutely gorgeous, Alyssa! I love your creativity. Pinned!
Alyssa says
I always surprise myself how many lines I can quote from those movies, even after only really watching them one season a year. I have the Santa Clause on VHS somewhere in my parent's house (and plus we don't have a VCR), so I was pumped when I flipped on the TV and it was in the first few minutes of it starting! Thankfully we have Elf on DVD. 🙂 Thanks Gayle!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
This tree looks spectacular!!
Alyssa says
Thanks so much Jocelyn! 🙂
Tracey says
Hi Alyssa!
I don't think I've ever had a rainbow cookie (or rainbow cookie cake for that matter)! This is quite the undertaking! It turned out beautifully and I'm sure you had a lot of fun making it! Looks delicious as always!
Alyssa says
Ooh they're so good, Tracey! I think they have to be a regional thing, as they were allll over the place up in NJ/NY and not so much anywhere else I've lived. If you happen upon one you've got to give it a try! Thanks so much! 🙂
marcie says
I've never had a rainbow cookie...how terrible for me! This looks so tasty and it's just gorgeous, Alyssa! Christmas desserts don't get any more fun than this. 🙂
Alyssa says
They're something special, Marcie - I bet you'd love them! I used to take for granted how easily accessible they'd be in any bakery or sometimes even grocery stores, too. They're definitely not an instant gratification kind of dessert to make yourself, but the end result is great (plus a batch cut into regular bars makes a TON so you can freeze them for the next ten times you have cravings!)
Francesca @ Love.Bake.Read says
That cake looks seriously moist and delish! Love The Elf too...looking to watch it soon!
Alyssa says
Thanks Francesca! It's a classic, I'm sure I'll be watching it again before Christmas rolls around! 🙂
Nostramomus says
Omg how festive! A rainbow cookie cake for Christmas? This is super creative and super delicious ! Great post Alyssa!
Alyssa says
Delicious indeed! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
These are so cute! Definitely getting me into the holiday spirit. And we have a little tree this year too! But we have you beat, ours is less than 1ft tall. Ha! It was a cute little potted one from Trader Joe's. We have no space in our house for a big tree, so little table top on the side table tree it is! I can't wait to make these cookie cakes and watch a christmas movie with some egg nog : )
Alyssa says
What a cute little tree!! (Ours is fake! haha) We have zero space in our apartment for a legit tree too, so for now our small but mighty one will do! And your plans sound so festive. I want in! 🙂