Rocky Road Christmas Tree
Christmas this year was at my house and my mum was coming over. She loves rocky road and I needed a table centrepiece. So by making this I get a sweet treat made and I get to decorate the table.
I made this for the first time nearly 20 years ago but then I forgot about it. A friend of mine recently reminded me of it so I had to make it again. I'm so glad I did, as it is so easy to make, probably the hardest part is making the cone out of cardboard, once you figure that out, the rest is easy.
When slicing, you turn it on its side and cut discs from the bottom, then cut those discs up, the tree can then remain standing, but will be smaller, giving you days of sweet rocky road treats and days of a table centrepiece.
This looked beautiful on my table, give it a try, it really is easy and looks amazing.
I made this for the first time nearly 20 years ago but then I forgot about it. A friend of mine recently reminded me of it so I had to make it again. I'm so glad I did, as it is so easy to make, probably the hardest part is making the cone out of cardboard, once you figure that out, the rest is easy.
When slicing, you turn it on its side and cut discs from the bottom, then cut those discs up, the tree can then remain standing, but will be smaller, giving you days of sweet rocky road treats and days of a table centrepiece.
This looked beautiful on my table, give it a try, it really is easy and looks amazing.
Recipe
Recipe adapted from www.aww.com.au
Serves 20
750g milk melts, melted
250g dark choc bits
500g marshmallows
250g California walnuts
200g white melts, melted
M&Ms, for decoration
Serves 20
750g milk melts, melted
250g dark choc bits
500g marshmallows
250g California walnuts
200g white melts, melted
M&Ms, for decoration
You will need a large sheet of cardboard, about 64cm x 36cm in size. I got mine from the news agency, school project size.
Cut two sheets of baking paper large enough to cover the cardboard on one side. Staple or tape the baking paper to the cardboard.
Find the centre of the long end of the cardboard and mark it with a pen. This now is the top of the cardboard. Baking paper side up, pick up the right bottom corner of the cardboard and bring it to the centre mark you made, now tuck the corner under and staple or tape it in place. It should begin to look cone shaped and the baking paper will be on the inside of the cone (See diagram 1).
Next wrap up the remainder of the paper around your cone tightly, making sure the cone tip end of the cone is completely closed. Secure with some tape (see diagram 2).
Trim the open end so that the cone will stand straight when set (see diagrams 3 and 4)
Cut two sheets of baking paper large enough to cover the cardboard on one side. Staple or tape the baking paper to the cardboard.
Find the centre of the long end of the cardboard and mark it with a pen. This now is the top of the cardboard. Baking paper side up, pick up the right bottom corner of the cardboard and bring it to the centre mark you made, now tuck the corner under and staple or tape it in place. It should begin to look cone shaped and the baking paper will be on the inside of the cone (See diagram 1).
Next wrap up the remainder of the paper around your cone tightly, making sure the cone tip end of the cone is completely closed. Secure with some tape (see diagram 2).
Trim the open end so that the cone will stand straight when set (see diagrams 3 and 4)
Cone Diagram 1
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Cone Diagram 2
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Cone Diagram 3
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Cone Diagram 4
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Place a bit of tape on the tip of the cone to ensure it is closed. Stand the cone in a vase to hold it in place. I added a glass in the vase to stop the cardboard bending as it was a too wide for the narrow vase.
In a large bowl, add the marshmallows, choc bits and walnuts, mix to combine. Pour over the melted milk chocolate, mix until well combined. Add a marshmallow to the cone first and press it into the point of the cone, then add the remaining marshmallow mix, pressing down well as you go.
Allow the cone to stand in the vase until the rocky road sets, about 2-3 hours, but preferably overnight. Once set you can store the cone in the refrigerator on its side, for up to 3 weeks.
To decorate, remove the cardboard carefully from rocky road and place the rocky road on a serving plate.
Decorating the tree: Melt the white chocolate.
For the star: Place a small sheet of baking paper on a work surface, spoon on 2-3 tablespoons of the white chocolate on the baking paper, spread out gently, you want it to be about 3-4mm thick, this will be your star. Once the chocolate has nearly set, press a star cookie cutter into the chocolate and carefully push out a star. (If the star breaks remelt the chocolate and try again).
The remainder of the white chocolate needs to cool slightly, if too hot you will melt your tree. Once it has cooled slightly, drizzle the white chocolate on the tip to run down the side of the tree. Here you put as much white chocolate as you want.
As the white chocolate is setting start putting on your M&M decorations (allow the white chocolate to set slightly otherwise the M&Ms will slide down the tree). Place your set chocolate star on the top of the tree.
For the star: Place a small sheet of baking paper on a work surface, spoon on 2-3 tablespoons of the white chocolate on the baking paper, spread out gently, you want it to be about 3-4mm thick, this will be your star. Once the chocolate has nearly set, press a star cookie cutter into the chocolate and carefully push out a star. (If the star breaks remelt the chocolate and try again).
The remainder of the white chocolate needs to cool slightly, if too hot you will melt your tree. Once it has cooled slightly, drizzle the white chocolate on the tip to run down the side of the tree. Here you put as much white chocolate as you want.
As the white chocolate is setting start putting on your M&M decorations (allow the white chocolate to set slightly otherwise the M&Ms will slide down the tree). Place your set chocolate star on the top of the tree.
Wrap some tinsel around the base.
To slice, turn the tree on its side on a chopping board, and slice into rounds from the base. Only slice as much as you need, as the remainder can go back on your plate as a centrepiece for days to come, as pictured below.
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Chop up the round discs you sliced, and serve to your guests.
Enjoy!
