Swiss Roll Christmas Tree – a festive treat with holiday cheer!

A Swiss Roll Christmas Tree is a festive and fun treat that brings holiday cheer to your table with its whimsical appearance and delicious flavors. This dessert combines the light, spongy texture of Swiss rolls with a creative tree shape, decorated in holiday colors and topped with all the seasonal trimmings. Here’s how to create this festive masterpiece:

Swiss Roll Christmas Tree – A Festive Treat with Holiday Cheer!

Ingredients:

For the Swiss Rolls:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (for a chocolate roll) or leave out for a vanilla roll
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

For the Filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of fruit preserves or jam (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot works well)

For the Decorations:

• Green food coloring (for the frosting)
• 2 cups butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk (or more for desired frosting consistency)
• Small edible decorations like:
  • Mini candy canes
  • Red and green sprinkles
  • Edible glitter
  • Small chocolate stars or mini marshmallows for the “tree topper”

Instructions:

1. Make the Swiss Roll Cake:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
   • In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together with an electric mixer on high until thick and pale, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.
   • Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until fully combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
   • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • As soon as the cake is done, remove it from the oven and dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Carefully flip the hot cake onto the towel, then remove the parchment paper.
   • Roll the cake up with the towel, starting from one of the short ends. Allow the cake to cool completely while rolled up.
2. Make the Filling:
   • While the cake cools, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating whipped cream.
   • Once the cake is completely cool, unroll it carefully and spread a thin layer of fruit preserves over the cake, followed by the whipped cream.
3. Roll the Cake:
   • Gently re-roll the cake without the towel, starting from the short end, to form the Swiss roll.
   • Slice the Swiss roll into 1-inch sections, reserving some slices to create the base of the tree.
4. Assemble the Christmas Tree:
   • Place one Swiss roll slice at the base of a serving plate to create the trunk.
   • Stack additional slices in a staggered fashion, slightly overlapping each slice to form the shape of a Christmas tree. The slices will create a layered effect, with each layer representing a wider portion of the tree.
   • Once all slices are stacked to resemble a Christmas tree shape, use a serrated knife to trim the bottom if needed for balance, and ensure the shape is symmetrical.
5. Decorate the Tree:
   • In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together, adding 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve a festive, tree-like hue.
   • Use a spatula to frost the entire tree with the green buttercream. You can create texture in the frosting by gently swirling it to resemble tree branches.
   • Decorate with mini candy canes, red and green sprinkles, edible glitter, and small chocolate stars or marshmallows as the “tree topper.” You can also use some of the leftover whipped cream for added decoration.
6. Serve:
   • Once your Swiss Roll Christmas Tree is decorated, slice and serve! It’s a beautiful and delicious dessert that will add festive cheer to any holiday celebration.

Tips:

• Flavor Variations: You can make a vanilla Swiss roll instead of chocolate by omitting the cocoa powder and adding a bit of almond extract to the filling for a different flavor twist.
• Make Ahead: You can bake the Swiss rolls a day ahead and store them tightly wrapped in plastic wrap until you’re ready to assemble and decorate.
• Texture: Be careful not to overfill the cake with the whipped cream, as it may make the rolls difficult to keep intact. Just a thin, even layer is perfect.

This Swiss Roll Christmas Tree is a creative and festive way to celebrate the holiday season with a fun twist on a classic dessert. It’s sure to be a showstopper at any holiday gathering!