Chocolate Christmas Tree

I was inspired to make this Chocolate Christmas Tree as a decoration for the table on Christmas Day yesterday. They also make a great last minute Christmas gift or dessert. We went to Christmas party yesterday. Due to bad weather the venue was changed to a friend’s home, instead of the park as planned. Her children had been busy that morning making Christmas Rocky Road for their friends. They looked amazing! Inspired by their creativity I have made my version this morning. I am not a Rocky Road fan so I have made a Macadamia and Craisin mix. I also made a couple using chopped up Violet Crumble.

Here is how to make them:

Ingredients

350gm Chocolate of your choice broken into pieces
3 heaped tbsp of Macadamia Halves
3 tbsp Craisins
Violet Crumble – chopped (for decorating)
100gm White Chocolate (for decorating)
Mixed Cachous (shiny cake decoration balls-for decorating)

You will need some moulds to pour the chocolate into.

Steps

Locate a saucepan that will fit a bowl over the top, without water touching the base of the bowl
Put a small amount of water into the bottom of the saucepan and bring to the boil
Place a bowl on top of the saucepan and put the chocolate into the bowl. Turn the heat down to a low simmer to prevent the chocolate melting too fast
Monitor the chocolate and stir continuously
When the chocolate has almost melted, remove from the heat and continue stirring until you have a smooth mix
Add the Craisins and Macadamia halves and stir through
Pour into your chosen mould/s and put into the fridge for approximately 2-3 hours, until solid. if you are using the paper hats you will need to stand them up in something while they set. I used a coffee mug
Once set, carefully peel off the paper hat to reveal your tree. If you are using a plastic glass you may need to let them sit out of the fridge for 15 minutes prior to removing from the glass.

Hints

As a mould I used paper party hats and they worked the best. It does make a rather large tree though! Don’t give it to a child to eat in one go or you will have a seriously energetic, and possibly ill child!!
I also used some plastic wine glasses and they made a nice smaller shape. If using a plastic glass or cup, generously grease with butter prior to filling or the set chocolate will be impossible to get out….
Don’t melt the chocolate on too high a heat
Use any ingredients you like to mix through the chocolate and to decorate your trees – you could try marsh mellows, pecans, almonds, toffee or anything else that takes your fancy.
If you use a plastic glass for the shape of your trees you may need to run some warm water around the outside of the glass or warm it with your hands to allow them to be removed. Tap hard on a bench top and they should release. A word of warning- do not use water that is too warm to get them to release from the glass as that will mess up the surface of the tree when it is removed. It will be a bit rustic instead of smooth, it will still taste good though.

What are you making for the center of your Christmas Table this year?

Thanks to the very talented Fazio children for your great idea.