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Desserts

Christmas trees

⏱ 60 min🍳 40 min👤 6 pp★★★☆☆

During Christmas we all love to make lovely little snacks and sweets that are both fun and delicious, beautiful to look at and good to taste, capable of entertaining young children, and giving the home a warm atmosphere when used, for example, as a table centrepiece. Some examples might be edible wreaths, fruit centrepieces, stuffed panettone, decorations for the tree, and so on and so forth. Today’s idea is for some small chocolate Xmas trees, glazed with a green icing and decorated with sprinkles, either as treats for the children or to use as a nice centrepiece during Christmas lunch. Or you might wish to use this recipe to make one large tree to serve as a true Christmas dessert.

Ingredients

Nutritional values 380 kcal / serving
Protein
5g
Carbohydrates
68g
Fat
9g
Fiber
1g

* approximate values per serving

Information
60 minutes Total time
40 minutes Active time
Serves 6 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Beat the eggs with the sugar until frothy. Add the milk and melted butter. Beat the mixture again, then add the flour and baking powder. Also add the cocoa and cinnamon. Work everything together for a few minutes, then pour the mixture into your tree-shaped moulds. Bake at 180°C for 40 minutes, then remove from the oven and leave to cool. Meanwhile thoroughly beat together the icing sugar and the egg whites. Add a pinch of lemon zest and green dye. Adjust the quantity of dye according to how green you want your glaze to be. Decorate the surface of your trees with glaze, then add the coloured sprinkles.

Tips
With cake moulds, ramekins and paper muffin cups you can let your imagination run riot in choosing your favourite shape, whilst spending virtually nothing.
Trivia
The icing with which we have decorated these trees is called royal icing and is made with icing sugar and egg whites. Another type of icing commonly used in confectionery is made of sugar and water which, unlike this one, is made whilst warm. Then there is the common lemon icing, made with icing sugar, lemon juice and egg whites.

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Christmas Trees with Decorated Icing Sugar

One of the most delicious variations of Christmas Trees is undoubtedly the one enriched with decorated icing sugar. In this preparation, after baking the trees, you proceed to work the icing sugar with egg white until you achieve a shiny and thick glaze. This glaze not only gives a festive look to your treats but also adds an extra sweetness that perfectly complements the flavor of cocoa and cinnamon. To make the decoration even more appealing, you can use food coloring to create multicolored effects and sprinkle colored confetti on the surface. The decorated Christmas Trees are ideal for the holidays and can be a great homemade gift.

Venetian Christmas Trees with Corn Flour

An interesting regional variation of Christmas Trees is the one prepared with corn flour, typical of Veneto. This recipe brings a different texture and a unique flavor to the treats, making them even more special. The corn flour, in fact, gives the trees a rustic note and a golden color that makes them irresistible. To prepare this version, simply replace part of the all-purpose flour with corn flour, keeping the other ingredients unchanged. The result will be a dessert that stands out for its originality and perfectly represents the culinary tradition of Veneto, ideal for serving during the Christmas festivities.

Light Christmas Trees without Butter

For those who desire a lighter version of Christmas Trees, it is possible to prepare a butter-free variant. By substituting butter with Greek yogurt or applesauce, you achieve a lighter dessert with fewer calories, without compromising on flavor. This preparation maintains the softness of the trees, thanks to the moisture provided by the yogurt or applesauce. Additionally, it is possible to slightly reduce the amount of sugar, considering that the fruit already adds natural sweetness. The light Christmas Trees are an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy a festive dessert without guilt, perfect for those following a more mindful diet.

Benefits of Christmas Trees: Cocoa and Cinnamon

Christmas Trees, thanks to key ingredients like cocoa and cinnamon, also offer some nutritional benefits. Cocoa, for example, is rich in antioxidants and can help improve mood, while cinnamon is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can help regulate blood sugar levels. A serving of Christmas Trees provides about 200-250 calories, depending on the size and ingredients used. By choosing lighter variants or alternative ingredients, it is possible to enjoy these treats without sacrificing pleasure and well-being.

Can Christmas Trees be Frozen?

A common question regarding Christmas Trees is whether they can be frozen. The answer is yes! It is possible to freeze the trees once they have cooled. To do this, it is advisable to wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to preserve their freshness. When you wish to consume them, simply let them thaw at room temperature or warm them slightly in the oven. This way, you can prepare the holiday treats in advance and have them ready for the festivities, without compromising flavor and texture.