Stuffed Christmas trees

Filled Christmas Trees - a festive dessert that brings joy and color to the Christmas table! This simple and delicious recipe will help you create trees made of light dough, filled with a rich cream of nuts and biscuits, perfect to be served alongside your loved ones. Moreover, these trees will surely become the stars of holiday parties!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10 trees

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 2 eggs (fresh, at room temperature)
- 5 tablespoons of sugar (preferably fine sugar for easy blending)
- 100 ml milk (you can use whole milk for a richer texture)
- 1 teaspoon of ammonium bicarbonate (activated with lemon juice)
- Juice from half a lemon (to activate the bicarbonate and add flavor)
- Green food coloring (optional, but adds a festive touch)
- Flour as needed (about 300-400 g, depending on the moisture of the ingredients)

For the cream:
- 2 cups of finely crushed biscuits (Digestive biscuits or similar)
- 5-6 pieces of Turkish delight (cut into cubes for a sweet taste and interesting texture)
- 1 cup of ground nuts (preferably Romanian nuts for a richer flavor)
- 50 g butter (at room temperature for easy incorporation)
- Rum essence (1-2 drops for a distinct aroma)
- Approximately 1/2 cup of milk (to achieve a creamy consistency)

Preparation method:

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180°C and preparing a baking tray lined with parchment paper. This step is essential to prevent the trees from sticking.

2. In a large bowl, beat the 2 eggs with the 5 tablespoons of sugar until you obtain a frothy and light-colored mixture. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for optimal results.

3. Gradually add the milk, mixing continuously. Then, incorporate the ammonium bicarbonate activated with lemon juice and the green food coloring, if you choose to use it. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.

4. Begin adding the flour gradually until you achieve a suitable consistency that does not stick to your hands. Knead the dough for a few minutes, then let it rest for 10 minutes, covered with a clean towel.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the cream. In a bowl, mix the crushed biscuits, ground nuts, cubed Turkish delight, and soft butter. Add the rum essence and milk gradually, mixing until you obtain a homogeneous and creamy mixture.

6. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 5 mm thickness. Using a tree-shaped cutter, cut out the trees and place them on the prepared tray.

7. Bake the trees in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden and slightly crispy on the edges. Let them cool completely on a rack.

8. Once the trees have cooled, fill each tree with cream using a spoon or a piping bag. You can decorate them with colorful candies or chocolate syrup for an even more festive look.

Serving suggestion: Arrange the trees on a beautifully decorated platter with a few sprigs of fir and some scented candles. They will surely become the main attraction of the Christmas table! This filled tree recipe is not only a delight but also a perfect opportunity to spend time with family, creating unforgettable memories.

Possible variations: You can experiment with different fillings by adding caramel, chocolate, or candied fruits. Also, for a vegan version, replace the eggs with a mixture of flaxseeds and use plant-based butter.

Happy cooking and enjoy these delicious filled trees!

 Ingredients: Dough: 2 eggs, 5 tablespoons sugar, 100 ml milk, 1 teaspoon ammonium bicarbonate, lemon juice, green food coloring, flour as needed. Cream: 2 cups finely crushed biscuits, 5-6 pieces of Turkish delight, 1 cup ground nuts, 50 g butter, rum essence, approx. 1/2 cup milk.