Christmas is THE time for cosy get-togethers, and what could be more fitting than a pull-apart brioche Christmas tree? Whether for a magical Christmas breakfast or a relaxed Advent brunch, it always fits! Therefore, I would like to share with you the recipe that will not only make your taste buds, but especially the children’s eyes shine: the easy-to-make pull-apart Christmas tree made of a fluffy brioche dough!
So, what are you waiting for? Put on your apron and let’s get started! 😉
The preparation:
Preparing the pull- apart Christmas tree is actually easier than you think. Here you can find my step by step instruction:
First you have to make the yeast mixture: Mix yeast, sugar and vanilla sugar in the room temperature milk until the yeast dissolves.
Then prepare the dough base: add salt, rum flavouring and some orange zest to the yeast mixture. Add flour and eggs and mix everything into a dough for about 1 minute.
Incorporate the butter at room temperature: Cut the soft butter into small pieces and add to the dough. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and supple.
Resting time: Cover the dough and let it rest for 1 hour (it should have become nearly double in size)
Shape the dough: After the resting time, divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and shape into balls. If you want to be very precise: weigh the dough and then divide it by 16 😉
How to get the shape of a Christmas tree:
First, line a baking sheet with baking paper. Place the balls on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Start with a row of 5 balls, then place 4 balls staggered on top, followed by 3, 2 and finally 1 ball. The last ball serves as the stem and is placed in the middle under the row of 5. That’s it!
Resting time before baking: Cover the Christmas tree again with a clean and dry tea towel and let it rest for another 30 minutes.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Whisk the extra egg and brush it on the Christmas tree. Then sprinkle it generously with granulated sugar. Bake the Christmas tree for about 25 minutes until it is golden brown.
And now most important! Enjoy: If you like, add powdered sugar and some fresh orange zest on top. Then let the Christmas tree cool down and enjoy this festive masterpiece with your loved ones.
But enough raving, here comes the full recipe. You and the Pull-Apart brioche Christmas tree, an unbeatable combination! 😉
Pull-apart brioche Christmas tree
Great for Christmas
simple-
Prep time: 15 minutes -
Rest time: 1 hours 30 minutes -
Baking time: 30 minutes -
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
| Brioche dough | |
|---|---|
| 220 ml | milk (lukewarm) |
| 30 g | yeast |
| 75 g | sugar |
| 8 g | vanilla sugar (1 packet) |
| 5 g | salt |
| 550 g | flour |
| 2 | eggs (size L) |
| 5 | drops of rum flavor |
| Orange zest from 1 orange | |
| 100 g | butter, soft |
| Glaze | |
| glaze | |
| 1 | egg |
| granulated sugar | |
| powdered sugar | |
Steps of preparation
- Mix the yeast with sugar and vanilla sugar in the milk at room temperature
- Add salt, rum flavoring and orange zest
- Add flour and eggs and mix to form a dough for about 1 minute
- cut soft butter into small pieces and add to the dough one by one and knead for 5 minutes to form a smooth dough.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 1 hour
- After the resting time, divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and shape into balls
- Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
- Place the balls on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with a row of 5 balls, then place 4 balls staggered on top, followed by 3, 2 and finally 1 ball. The last ball serves as the stem and is placed in the middle under the row of 5.
- Then cover the Christmas tree and let it rest again for 30 minutes
- Preheat oven to 180°
- Whisk the last egg and brush it on the Christmas tree. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
- Bake the Christmas tree for about 25 minutes until it is golden brown. Let cool and enjoy.
- Optional: add some more Orange zests and some powdered sugar
You tried this recipe?
Then link @sabrinastable on Instagram or use the hashtag #sabrinastable.
You see, it’s not as hard as it looks!
And if you’re looking for other recipes for Christmas, have a look here:
Christmas goose: easy to prepare with step by step instructions!
Salmon terrine: A really great appetizer that tastes wonderful and not just at Christmas. Perfect for entertaining as you can(and should) prepare a day ahead.
Why this Christmas tree made from brioche dough is fantastic for Christmas:
Perfect for Christmas breakfast or Advent brunch: it is not only a culinary delight, but also a real eye-catcher. Perfect to surprise your loved ones in the morning or during a relaxed brunch, because it just looks great!
Made very easy: You don’t have to be a baking professional to conjure up this dream out of brioche. The recipe is so simple that even the littlest ones can help prepare it. They can help shape the balls and lay it out on the baking paper.
Made to be plucked: No classic cutting! This is where you pick, tear and enjoy. A communal experience that makes the enjoyment even more intense.
Christmas flavour with rum and oranges: Rum and oranges give the brioche dough that certain something. A scent that will immediately put even the biggest Christmas grouch in the Christmas spirit. So no time to be a grinch! 😉
It’s not just the children’s eyes that shine: the anticipation of the delicious Christmas tree will not only delight the little ones. Even the grown-ups will light up at the sight and taste of this culinary masterpiece.
Now nothing stands in the way of your festive breakfast or brunch. The Pull-Apart Christmas tree will not only warm your heart, but also conjure up a festive atmosphere in your home. So, get your apron on and let’s start by making this delicious Christmas joy together!
Happy baking and happy holidays!
love, sabrina