CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS TREE

A recipe that will bring a cozy Christmas spirit into your home. This simple yet impressive dessert is easy to make and will delight not only adults but also children, as decorating the tree can inspire creativity and allow for a variety of embellishments.

Ingredients

• 200 g of dark chocolate (I prefer at least 70% cocoa)

• Dried fruits - apricots, cranberries or others

• Nuts - hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios or others

• A pinch of salt

• If you want a snowy effect - shredded coconut

Instructions

I soak the dried fruits in water for about 10 minutes. I chop the apricots into smaller pieces.

I melt the chocolate using a double boiler method: I fill one pot with water, and when it boils, I place a smaller pot inside it and add the dark chocolate for melting. If I were to put the chocolate pot directly on the heat, it would burn, harden and melt unevenly.

I take a piping bag or any sturdy bag, pour the melted chocolate into it (if it's too hot to handle, wrap the bag in a towel or paper towel).

On a plate lined with parchment paper or a large cutting board, I shape the chocolate into tree branches by making circles of different sizes (about 10-11 pieces). I draw the circles from largest to smallest. If it's difficult to draw the circles freehand, I first sketch them with a pencil on the paper and then easily replicate them with the chocolate.

On the formed circles, I place fruits and nuts to resemble "ornaments" for the tree.

I put the decorated tree branches in the refrigerator (or on a cold balcony) until the chocolate hardens.

Once the chocolate has set, it's time to assemble the tree.

I melt a bit more chocolate, which will act as glue.

First, I place the largest circle and drizzle a little melted chocolate in the center. Then, I add the second largest circle on top, and so on. I layer them until the tree branches are used up, creating a beautiful tree. I set the tree aside to allow the chocolate glue to harden.

Once the chocolate glue has set, I sprinkle the tree with "snow" - coconut flakes.

BON APPETIT!