Chocolate Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C for fan assisted ovens), Gas Mark 6. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
2. Unroll one of the puff pastry sheets and place on the baking sheet. Spread the chocolate-hazelnut spread over the puff pastry sheet. Unroll the second puff pastry sheet and place on top of the first one.
3. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a star from one corner of the layered pastry and set aside. Cut the remaining layered pastry into the shape of a Christmas tree (triangle) with a wide base and trunk. Pull away the excess pastry.
4. Lightly score 2 lines down the middle of the triangle to form a tree trunk approximately 3cm wide. Using the trunk as a guide, cut branches into the sides of the triangle, approximately 2cm wide. Leave the top 5cm as this will be covered with the pastry star.
5. Starting at the top, twist each branch away from you, giving two turns to each branch.
6. Place the pastry star on top of the tree, securing with a little beaten egg. Brush the star and tree with beaten egg.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until risen and golden brown. Cool for a few minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool. Transfer to a serving plate or board and dust with icing sugar to serve.

Tips

• Add finely chopped and toasted walnuts and pecans to the filling for an extra crunch.
• If you like a chocolate and orange flavour, why not add orange zest to the chocolate mixture before spreading onto the puff pastry?
• To make it even more decadent, why not drizzle with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with toasted chopped nuts?
• Don’t throw away the layered pastry trimmings. Cut into strips and twist into short knots. Brush with beaten egg and bake on a separate lined baking sheet for 10-12 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve as a festive sweet snack!