Here’s a delicious idea to prepare during the Christmas holidays: the Christmas Tree Puff Pastry and Nutella, a spectacular, super easy dessert ready in just 10 minutes. You will only need three ingredients — puff pastry, Nutella, and one egg yolk — to create a dessert that delights both adults and children. It is made with two sheets of puff pastry placed on top of each other and filled with Nutella, then cut into the shape of a tree with branches to twist, creating a beautiful effect and perfect to bring to the table. You can decorate it as you wish: with chopped hazelnuts, colorful sprinkles, or powdered sugar. A little trick: after shaping the tree, place it in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. This way, the Nutella won’t ooze out, and the tree will keep a perfect shape in the oven, golden and crispy. This Christmas dessert is ideal to serve at the end of a meal or as a holiday snack along with a cup of hot chocolate. If you love serving desserts that instantly feel festive, try the Christmas pinecones or the stuffed pandoro: both are easy to make and perfect for wowing your guests during the holidays. Prepare this wonderful Christmas delight as well, and let me know if you liked it! See you soon,
Susy
Also discover:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
- Energy 429.24 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 35.14 (g) of which sugars 0.67 (g)
- Proteins 5.71 (g)
- Fat 29.61 (g) of which saturated 4.29 (g)of which unsaturated 23.84 (g)
- Fibers 1.16 (g)
- Sodium 194.11 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 60 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for the Puff Pastry Nutella Christmas Tree
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- to taste Nutella® (about 2 heaping tablespoons)
- 1 egg yolk
Preparing the Puff Pastry Nutella Christmas Tree
Slightly soften the Nutella by placing the jar halfway in a bain-marie in a pot with hot water. It should become creamy but not liquid.
Unroll the first sheet of puff pastry and place it, with its parchment paper, on the baking tray. Spread the Nutella evenly, using a spoon to help.
Unroll the second puff pastry sheet and place it on top, aligning the edges well. With a sharp knife, cut out the base of the trunk and then the shape of a large triangle, which will become the tree’s foliage.
At the edges of the triangle, make side cuts to form the branches.
Gently twist the branches on themselves, one at a time, to create the tree’s braided effect. With the leftover puff pastry, make some stars: use one to decorate the tree’s tip and prepare some mini croissants with the rest, which are always very appreciated by my son and my husband at home.
Place the tray in the freezer for about ten minutes: this way, the pastry will firm up, and the Nutella won’t spill out during baking.
After the time has passed, brush the tree with a slightly beaten egg yolk and bake in a preheated static oven at 356°F for about 20 minutes, until the surface is golden and crispy.
Let cool for a few minutes, then bring it to the table: crumbly, fragrant, and truly irresistible!
Storage and Useful Tips
If you want to decorate the tree with Smarties, chocolate candies, or colorful balls, do it only after baking, when the pastry has cooled: this way, they won’t melt and will remain nice and shiny.
You can also prepare it in advance, up to a couple of days before, and keep it in the fridge already shaped and covered with cling film. When serving, just bake it and bring it to the table freshly baked: it will be as crispy and fragrant as freshly made.
