1 (17-ounce) package frozen puff pastry (thawed)
½ cup Nutella spread
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons cream
2 tablespoons sparkling sugar
Raspberries or cranberries for garnish
Confectioners’ sugar for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll one pastry sheet out on a floured board to form a large rectangle. Place pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly score into a triangle with a large base using a sharp knife. Spread Nutella over pastry in a thin layer with back of a spoon. Roll out second sheet of pastry on a floured board and place it on top of first sheet. Carefully trace shape of a large triangle underneath and score limbs and trunk resembling shape of a tree. Pull away excess dough. Using trunk as a guide, cut branches into sides of triangle and begin twisting dough to form lower branches, moving upwards towards top of tree, twisting each limb into a branch as you go. Cut a small star from excess pastry and place it on top of tree. Whisk egg yolk and cream together to make an egg wash. Gently spread wash over all using a brush. Trim up any rough edges. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Place pastry in hot oven and bake until pastry is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly and transfer pastry tree to a platter. Garnish with raspberries or cranberries as desired, or sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm.
Yield: 10 to 12 servings