O Christmas Tree Recipes

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CHRISTMAS TREES

Steps:

• Line 8 x 8 inch dish with parchment paper, leaving the paper overhang the sides so you can easily lift it later and set aside.
• Then in a mixing bowl stir together peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar vanilla and salt, until sugar dissolve. Next, gradually mix in powdered sugar.
• Press the mixture into prepared dish. Smooth the top with spatula or simply press it with your palms to flatten into about ½ inch thick layer.
• Place it in the freezer until firm enough for cutting.
• When the mixture is firm enough, line a tray with parchment paper and set aside.
• Using Christmas tree cookie cutter cut out the trees and place them on the tray. Place them in the freezer for 45-60 minutes until completely firm.
• Then melt the chocolate and line another tray with parchment paper.
• Using a fork, dip each tree into melted chocolate to cover completely. Gently tap the fork to drip of the excess of chocolate. (Since the peanut butter mixture softens really fast at the room temperature, I suggest you to take just a few trees at the time from the freezer, because it's easier to work with the firm trees!!!) Place chocolate covered Christmas trees on the parchment paper lined tray. Refrigerate until chocolate has set.
• Store in the fridge or freeze for longer storage.
• I made 18 Christmas trees, but the number depends on the size of your cookie cutter. Mine was about 1 ¾ x 2 ¼ inches. Don't waste any batter, pick up leftovers, kneed, press with your palms and you will be able to cut out at least 2-3 more trees.

CHRISTMAS TREE COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix confectioners' sugar, butter or margarine, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Divide dough into halves. On lightly floured cloth-covered board, roll each half out to 3/16 inch thick. on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut into Christmas shapes.
• Bake on parchment lined baking sheets for 7 to 8 minutes. Let cool on wire racks and decorate as desired.

O CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, herbs, garlic, mustard, and salt until combined. Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Before serving, form the ball into a tree shape -- like an egg shape, but pointier on top. Roll the tree-shaped ball in the parsley, reshaping it with your hands as necessary. Decorate with bits of bell peppers and pomegranate seeds. Top with the slice of star fruit.
• Serve with crackers and crudites.

O SWEET CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients well, except chocolate, using as much food coloring as desired.
• While 'dough' is still warm and pliable, take about a tablespoon amount (decide how large you would like your trees) and with fingertips, shape into an upsidedown cone/a standing fir-tree.
• Do not try rolling. Squeeze your amount firmly so it adheres toegther, then stand one end on work surface and shape into a fir-tree, pressing fairly firmly.
• Do not make tip too sharp in order to accomodate the decorative ball later.
• When all the 'dough' is shaped, melt chocolate and dip tops of trees.
• While chocolate is still soft, place silver ball on the tip.
• A thought: would white chocolate look like snow?