Chocolate Tree a Delicious Centerpiece for this Christmas A chocolate tree is one of the nicest christmas trees around. Not only does it look great, you get to eat it to! Everyone is hesitant at first to break off a branch but once they start it does not take long to disappear. You can make it in your favourite christmas chocolate it does not have to be dark like the one I have made. Just be careful though if you use white or milk chocolate as they do not set as hard as the dark. This is really important if you live in a warm climate at christmas like I do or if you plan to transport the tree. You can use any roasted nuts or a combination. I have used almonds, hazelnuts, macadamias and walnuts in this tree. The chocolate christmas tree can be decorated with all sorts of cake sprinkles just make sure that they are edible. A word of advice this tree is not hard to make but you do need to set aside time as it can be a little fiddly when assembling and you will not appreciate assembling this while trying to do other things. Please read through the chocolate tree recipe first before starting. Ingredients. 300g dark chocolate, chopped 1 1/2 cups roasted nuts, chopped cake sprinkles for decorating icing sugar to sprinkle over to finish Method. First you will need to draw cross templates onto non-stick baking paper. Refer to photograph. You will need one in each of the following sizes 16cm, 13cm, 10cm, 7cm and 4cm. Use a pen dark enough as you should turn the paper over to put the chocolate on - you do not any ink on the chocolate. You will also need to make one 19cm but I suggest you make this directly onto the surface you are going to present the tree on. This can be a serving plate or cake board etc. In a medium size microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir until smooth. You may need a further 30 seconds. Mix through the nuts. Leave the mix to cool slightly, long enough for the chocolate to hold its shape and not spread when spoonfuls are placed on the paper. Spoon the chocolate a small spoon is easiest, along the crosses to form the branches of the tree. Decorate the branches with the cake sprinkles. As the chocolate sets place an extra spoonful in the centre of each cross this will help give the tree height and form the trunk when assembled Keep the remaining chocolate warm over a bowl of warm water while the tree sets. When you are sure the branches are set, again place a spoonful of chocolate in the centre of the branch beginning with the base 19cm cross. Position the 16cm branch ontop turned so that its branches sit between the base branches. You will have to fiddle to get the balance right, sometimes just adding a little nut piece under one side is all it takes. Continue with all the crosses. Leave the chocolate christmas tree to set. Dust with icing sugar, the chocolate tree will come alive when you do this - christmas magic. This chocolate tree recipe is really delicious and very moorish. If you feel you are not up to making the tree why not make the recipe and spoon into small paper or foil cases. I call these chocolate nut clusters. Just as nice to receive as a gift and look great as part of your christmas display. You can decorate them with cake
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, "From my home to yours"~ MerryChristmas~ Angelique~ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
