Christmas Tree Cake with Dried Fruits and Nuts

Name: Christmas Tree Cake with Dried Fruits and Nuts - Demetra I.
Ingredients: for the dough: for the filling: 100 g golden raisins 100 g dried apricots 50 g cranberries 100 g coarsely chopped walnuts 1 cup Amaretto 1 cup water 3; 4 tablespoons raw sugar 1 egg white 1 pinch of salt for brushing: 1 egg yolk 2; 3 tablespoons milk

Dessert - Christmas Tree Cake with Dried Fruits and Nuts by Demetra I. - Recipia

When I have leftover dough from making sweet bread, I try to use it as creatively as possible. The sweet bread shaped like a Christmas tree, filled with dried fruits and nuts, is a variation I have tested a few times, especially during Christmas. It’s not a quick project; you need to be patient, but the result is worth the effort, especially if you relax and don’t rush. For shaping the dough, it really helps to take your time and work with pleasure, not in a hurry. Quick Info Total time: 2 hours (including rising and assembling) Preparation time: 30-40 minutes (filling and shaping the dough) Baking time: 30-35 minutes Servings: 1 large sweet bread (8-10 slices) Difficulty: Medium, especially during assembly Recipe type: Holiday sweet bread, suitable for Christmas Ingredients For the filling: 100 g golden raisins 100 g dried apricots 50 g cranberries 100 g coarsely chopped walnuts 1 cup Amaretto liqueur 1 cup water 3-4 tablespoons raw sugar 1 egg white 1 pinch of salt For brushing: 1 egg yolk 2-3 tablespoons milk For the dough: use half of the sweet bread dough leftover from another recipe (for example, Flower Sweet Bread). No separate dough is prepared here; only the already made dough is used. Preparation method 1. Prepare the filling: Place the raisins, cranberries, and apricots (cut into small pieces) in a small pot. Mix the Amaretto liqueur with water and pour it over the fruits. Put on low heat, but do not let it boil; you just want the fruits to swell, not to become overly soft. Once they have increased in volume, remove from heat. 2. Add the sugar to the warm mixture, mix well, and let it cool completely. During this time, the fruits will absorb the liquid. 3. Once the filling has cooled, beat the egg white with a pinch of salt until frothy. Gently fold the beaten egg white into the fruit and chopped nuts mixture. 4. Divide the remaining dough into two pieces. Take the first piece and roll it out on a floured surface, shaping it into a triangle. With a sharp knife, cut out a tree shape. Repeat with the other piece of dough. From the resulting scraps, roll out another sheet in the shape of a tree. 5. You will have 3 tree-shaped sheets. Place the first one on a baking tray lined with silicone (or parchment paper). Spread half of the filling over the first tree sheet. Cover with the second sheet, then spread the remaining filling and place the last sheet on top. Press the edges gently to seal them as well as possible. 6. Using a ruler, draw two vertical lines on the tree, 4-5 cm apart (do not cut, just trace). Then, with the tip of a knife, cut from the center toward the edges to create "rays," starting from the bottom up. Twist each ray 2-3 times, as the dough allows. 7. Brush the tree with the egg yolk mixed with milk. Let the sweet bread rise for another 20-30 minutes at room temperature. 8. Bake in a preheated oven at 170-180°C for 30-35 minutes. If it browns too quickly, place a damp piece of parchment paper over it. Why I make this recipe often It’s a good way to use leftover dough and create something different for the holidays. The filling with fruits and nuts is tasty and not overly sweet, and the tree shape is perfect for the Christmas table. Tips and variations Tips If you find it difficult to cut the tree shape, you can use a paper template placed on the dough to cut more easily. For transferring the tree sheets, a silicone mat helps a lot. If you don’t have one, parchment paper works. If the tree browns quickly, cover it with damp parchment paper towards the end of baking. Substitutions Instead of Amaretto, you can use another liqueur, brandy, or even almond extract if you want an alcohol-free version (mixed with water). You can use other dried fruits depending on what you have: prunes, figs, or dates. Variations If you don’t like the fruit filling, you can make a classic cocoa and walnut filling, but this recipe is about the combination with fruits. You can add more nuts or include chopped hazelnuts or almonds. The tree shape can be adapted – it doesn’t have to be perfect like in the book. Serving ideas Slice after cooling. It can be placed on a dessert platter for Christmas or served for breakfast, plain or with a cup of milk/coffee. Frequently asked questions Can the tree be made only with fresh dough, not with leftovers? Yes, but you will need about half a batch of sweet bread dough. You can prepare special dough for this recipe. If I don’t have Amaretto, what can I replace the liqueur with? You can use brandy, rum, whiskey, or almond extract with water. Can I put something else instead of cranberries or apricots? Yes, it works with any dried fruit you have on hand: prunes, figs, dates, even black raisins. Do I have to twist each "branch" or is it okay without? Twisting gives the tree its appearance. If you don’t want to, you can just leave them cut, but visually it won’t be the same. Can I prepare the filling in advance? Yes, the fruit filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Nutritional values Estimation (for one slice, 1/10 of the sweet bread): approximately 260 kcal, 38 g carbohydrates, 7 g fat, 5 g protein. Values may vary depending on the dough used and the exact amount of filling. Storage and reheating The sweet bread can be stored at room temperature in a paper bag or cloth for up to 3 days. After two days, it becomes a little denser, but still good. It’s not the kind of sweet bread that keeps its freshness for a long time. For reheating, it can be placed in the microwave or oven for a few seconds, but don’t overdo it to avoid drying out.

Christmas Tree Cake with Dried Fruits and Nuts

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