Elegant Croquembouche Christmas Tree
This stunning Croquembouche Christmas Tree is the perfect showstopper dessert for your holiday celebrations. Composed of delicate cream puffs piled high in the shape of a festive tree, it's not only a delightful treat but also a beautiful centerpiece that will impress your guests. The puffs can be filled with luxurious custard or whipped cream and adorned with glistening caramelized sugar or melted chocolate for a personal twist. You can embellish the tree with seasonal decorations like tiny almond paste holly leaves and berries. Prepare the components ahead of time, making it a stress-free choice for your holiday gatherings. This elegant dessert can be made to serve a crowd, allowing you to focus on enjoying the festivities while leaving a lasting impression.
N/A
Servings
160
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1 1/2 cups (none)
unsalted butter
3/4 cup (cut into pieces)
sugar
2 teaspoons (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (none)
eggs
6 (large, at room temperature)
sugar
1 1/2 cups (for caramelizing)
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (none)
glace cherries
16 (halved)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large saucepan, combine water, unsalted butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat.
3
Once boiling, add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a smooth ball.
4
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for a minute. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, using the wooden spoon until the dough is shiny and smooth.
5
Drop rounded teaspoons of the dough onto two ungreased baking sheets, placing them about 1.5 inches apart.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes or until the puffs are puffed and golden brown. Once baked, cool them on a wire rack.
7
To create the caramelized sugar, heat sugar and lemon juice in a medium-sized, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar melts and turns light golden brown. Be cautious not to let it burn, and then remove it from heat.
8
To assemble the Croquembouche, arrange 14 cooled puffs in a 9-inch circle at the base on your serving platter.
9
Fill the center of the circle with about 5 additional puffs for added height.
10
Working quickly, dip the bottom of each remaining puff in the warm caramelized sugar (taking care not to touch the hot sugar). Place them on top of the base puffs in a smaller circle as you work your way up to form a tree shape. Continue adding puffs, making each subsequent circle smaller.
11
Once assembled, drizzle any remaining caramelized sugar over the entire tree, then decorate creatively with halved glace cherries. Optionally, refrigerate the dessert for 1-2 days before serving to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
18g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Elegant Croquembouche Christmas Tree?
It is a stunning holiday showstopper dessert composed of delicate cream puffs stacked into a festive tree shape and held together with caramelized sugar.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How do I start making the puff pastry dough?
In a large saucepan, combine water, unsalted butter, sugar, and salt, then bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat.
When should I add the all-purpose flour to the mixture?
Add the flour all at once after the water and butter mixture has reached a rolling boil.
How do I know the dough is ready to be removed from the heat?
Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a smooth ball.
How should eggs be added to the dough?
Beat in the eggs one at a time using a wooden spoon until the dough is shiny and smooth.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 6 large eggs at room temperature.
What size should the dough portions be on the baking sheet?
Drop rounded teaspoons of dough onto the baking sheets.
How far apart should the puffs be placed on the baking sheet?
Place the dough portions about 1.5 inches apart on two ungreased baking sheets.
How long do the puffs need to bake?
Bake the puffs for approximately 35 minutes.
What is the indicator that the puffs are fully baked?
The puffs are done when they are puffed and golden brown.
How should the baked puffs be cooled?
Once baked, remove the puffs from the oven and cool them on a wire rack.
How do I create the caramelized sugar coating?
Heat 1.5 cups of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a heavy skillet until the sugar melts and turns light golden brown.
What precaution should be taken when making caramel?
Be cautious not to let the sugar burn and take care not to touch the hot sugar with your hands.
How many puffs are needed for the base of the tree?
Arrange 14 cooled puffs in a 9-inch circle at the base on your serving platter.
How is the center of the tree base stabilized?
Fill the center of the base circle with about 5 additional puffs for added height and stability.
How do I assemble the tree shape?
Dip the bottom of each puff in warm caramelized sugar and place them in progressively smaller circles as you work your way up.
What should I do with the remaining caramelized sugar?
Once the tree is assembled, drizzle any remaining caramelized sugar over the entire structure for a glistening effect.
What are the suggested decorations for the tree?
Decorate creatively with 16 halved glace cherries and optionally add almond paste holly leaves and berries.
Can I fill the cream puffs with anything?
Yes, the puffs can be filled with luxurious custard or whipped cream before assembly.
How many calories are in one serving of this Croquembouche?
Each serving contains approximately 160 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 9 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 18 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 3 grams of protein per serving.
Can this dessert be prepared in advance?
Yes, components can be made ahead of time, and the assembled dessert can be refrigerated for 1-2 days.
What type of butter should be used?
Use 3/4 cup of unsalted butter cut into pieces.
Is there a variation for the coating besides caramel?
Yes, you can use melted chocolate as a personal twist for the coating and assembly.
How much lemon juice is needed for the caramel?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
What is the base circle diameter for the tree?
The base circle should be approximately 9 inches in diameter.
What makes this a good choice for holiday gatherings?
It is an elegant showstopper that can be mostly prepared in advance, leaving more time for festivities.