O Sweet Christmas Tree Recipes

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.

CHRISTMAS TREE SWEET ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add the milk powder; oil, sugar, salt, remaining water and 2 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until blended. Stir in the pineapple, cherries and pecans; set aside. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into an 11x9-in. rectangle. Spread filling to within 1/2 on. of edges. Roll up each rectangle jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal., To form a tree, cut each log into 11 slices, 1 in. each. Cover two baking sheets with foil and grease well. Center one slice near the top of each prepared baking sheet for treetop. Arrange slices with sides touching in three more rows, adding one slice for each row, forming a tree. Center the remaining slice below the tree trunk. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes., Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer foil with trees to wire racks; cool for 20 minutes. , For glaze, in a bowl, beat the confectioners' sugar, milk, butter and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a small pastry or plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of the bag. Pipe garlands on trees. Decorate with cherries and colored sugar.

CHRISTMAS TREE BREAD

Steps:

• Add saffron threads to warm water, let steep. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water (add a pinch of sugar to proof yeast). Add eggs, evaporated milk, drained and crushed saffron threads, salt and sugar. Beat with mixer or whip until saffron is diffused. Gradually add 4 1/2 cups flour, beating until dough is smooth and elastic. Stir in butter until blended. Add 4 cups more flour, or enough to make a stiff dough. Sprinkle 1/2 c flour on board turn dough out, cover with bowl, and let rest 15 minutes. Knead until smooth and elastic; add more flour sparingly if needed. Put dough into greased bowl, turn to grease top, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or longer. Divide into 3 equal portions. Makes 3 loaves.
• For each tree, roll strands of dough approximately 3/4" in diameter; shape tree on greased cookie sheet, cover and let rise approximately 25 minutes in a warm place. Decorate with dried cherries and brush with beaten egg if desired. Bake at 375 for approximately 20-25 minutes. Watch closely as oven vary.
• Branch tree: divide dough for one tree into 16 equal pieces; roll each piece into a 12" strand. Cut two 5" pieces from first strand to form top pair of branches; curl one end of each and bring cut ends together at center to form top of tree. Save excess dough. Arrange succeeding pairs of branches so each curled end extends 1/2" beyond last curl and just touches it. Make 8 or 9 pairs. Roll 8" long strand of dough to fit below last row of branches - leave ends uncurled. Roll saved dough into three thin strands about 20"; long; braid for trunk.
• Spiral tree: divide dough into 22 parts. Roll each piece into a 6"strand. Turn 21 strands into snail coils; arrange coils into pyramid, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Curl remaining strand into "S" shape for trunk.
• Scroll tree: roll pieces of douch into 1 each: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16" lengths, reserving trimmings. Curl both ends of each strand. Shape 6" strand into tree top with ends just slightly curled. Place next longest strand beneath first so that curled ends just touch first and extend approximately 3/4 beyond. Repeat with each succeeding strand until all are used. With reserved dough and trimmings, make "S" shaped trunk and place at base of tree. Also curl "snails" and center between branches.
• For icing:.
• mix together all ingredients. Add more cream if necessary to obtain spreading consistency. Drizzle thinly over warm bread.
• Makes 2 cups, enough for 3 loaves depending on taste.

CHRISTMAS TREE WAFFLES

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; whisk to combine. Make a well in the center and add 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine just until blended.
• Add in just enough green food coloring to reach the green color you would like!
• Preheat a round waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. Cook batter in the preheated waffle iron until waffle is just cooked through and the iron stops steaming, about 5 minutes. Don't overcook; the longer it cooks, the browner the waffle will turn, and it will lose its green color.
• Separate the round waffles into wedges, and arrange three wedges overlapping each other on a plate like a Christmas tree.

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.