Friday, December 29, 2006

Chocolate Christmas Tree

Danielle from Habeaus Brûlée is hosting this edition of Sugar High Friday and decided on the theme of Sugar Art.

Now, there's more chocolate than sugar in this but hopefully I've got the art bit covered in this Chocolate Christmas Tree.

Chocolate Christmas Tree© by haalo



Chocolate Christmas Tree
[Makes 1 tree]

300 grams dark chocolate, melted
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted
icing sugar, to dust
25 grams dark chocolate, melted, extra


Firstly, you need to draw the different sized crosses on sheets of baking paper. This tree goes from 18cm at the bottom to 7cm at the top with crosses at 1cm increments - you will make 12 crosses. For those using imperial measurements that's roughly 8 inches to 3 inches with half inch increments.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler until runny then stir through the slivered almonds and coconut.

Using a spoon, dollop out the chocolate along the cross templates you've made. The best look comes in being a bit random in how your form these crosses.

Let the crosses cool until solid - don't rush to make the tree, you really do need the chocolate to be as hard as possible to avoid the chance of breakage.

You'll be using a little melted chocolate to clue the layers together.

Place the largest at the bottom of your serving dish, put a little melted chocolate in the centre and add the next size down cross, positioning at an angle to the bottom so the branch lies between the two arms of the cross. Then add a little melted chocolate to the centre of this branch and add the next cross. Continue the process until you've used all the crosses.

Dust with icing sugar.

To eat, just snap the branches from the tree.

13 comments

  1. That is absolutely amazing! Forget pine or plastic, can I have a full scale chocolate christmas tree for next year's festivities??

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  2. What a neat idea! I keep telling my partner that we can have a Christmas tree next year only if it doesn't involve actually killing any trees. I think he'll like this suggestion best of all. (We really had decided on a brussel sprout stalk tree, and no, I'm not kidding.)

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  3. Who would have thought about it but Haalo! Superb.

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  4. Edible art is the best kind, very nice.

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  5. Haalo, you are an artist, that's for sure!

    This Xmas tree is so beautiful - and I think it would be a hit among the children! The only problem would keep their tiny hands off it! :D

    May I ask you something? Is it OK to prepare it without tempering the chocolate - does the shape hold up well?

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  6. This is so lovely, I could finish the whole tree, if you don't mind :p

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  7. A delicious-looking chocolate christmas tree.

    Happy New Year, my friend!

    Paz

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  8. Haalo, this is a great idea. Many of my neighbors growing up were fond of holiday recipes, an one of them still makes an nut wreath each Christmas with almonds and corn syrup. You've created a very merry alternative!

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  9. Thanks Ellie - full size certainly would be an interesting experiment though probably something you'd do in the northern hemisphere rather than here. It might end up more like a chocolate pool ;)

    Thanks Danielle - certainly is an option and if you don't like it you can always eat it ;)

    Thanks Chandrima - i wish it was my invention but i've seen them for sale in the chocolate stores

    Thanks Brilynn.

    Thanks Patricia - you could make small trees to keep the little hands occupied from the large tree. Just use three of the smallest branches to make a child's version.
    There's no real need to temper the chocolate you just need to make sure it's well melted before adding the other ingredients.

    Thanks Angie - you can have as much as you like!

    Thanks Paz and a most happy New Year to you!

    Thanks T.W. - the nut wreath sounds lovely.

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  10. Totally brilliant and beautiful! Happy New Year to you Haalo!

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  11. Thanks Sara - I hope you had a wonderful New Years and cheers for a great 2007!

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  12. I read every one of the entries in SHF #26... what a fabulous collection of recipes. I put 2kg on my waistline just from drooling over them.

    Keep up the good work. Is it still "work" when you enjoy it so much... hmmmmm

    Cheers, HelenM

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  13. Thanks Helen - it's wonderful to see so many great creations you'd happily have a bit of every one of them.

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