Alberello di Biscotti e Nutella®: A Festive Christmas Treat
This Alberello di Biscotti e Nutella® is a whimsical holiday treat that’s sure to bring joy to your festive gatherings. With layers of delicate almond shortbread cookies and creamy Nutella® filling, it creates a beautiful edible tree decorated with sweet touches of meringues and powdered sugar. Perfect for a family get-together or a sweet holiday centerpiece, this recipe combines the rich flavor of Nutella® with the crisp texture of almond shortbread.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Nutella® | 120g |
| All-purpose flour (Farina 00) | 275g |
| Almond flour (Farina di mandorle) | 60g |
| Ground ginger (Zenzero in polvere) | ¼ teaspoon |
| Granulated sugar (Zucchero) | 125g |
| Unsalted butter (Burro) | 150g |
| Egg (Uova) | 1 |
| Powdered sugar (Zucchero a velo) | to taste |
| Meringue cookies (Meringhe) | 56 pieces |
Instructions
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Prepare the Almond Shortbread Dough:
- Begin by making the almond shortbread dough. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and ground ginger. Add the granulated sugar and cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips, quickly work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg to the mixture and stir it in to combine. Once the dough starts coming together, transfer it onto a floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
-
Shape and Bake the Cookies:
- Once the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thickness. Using a set of 11 star-shaped cookie cutters, cut out stars in varying sizes, starting from the largest and working your way down.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
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Assemble the Cookie Tree:
- To create the tree, start by placing the largest star at the base. Using a piping bag fitted with a smooth 3mm nozzle, pipe a small dot of Nutella® at each of the five points of the star.
- Gently place a meringue cookie on top of each Nutella® dot. Then, pipe a small amount of Nutella® in the center of the star and place the next smaller star on top, ensuring the points are slightly off-center to create a staggered effect. Repeat this layering process with the remaining stars, working your way up to the smallest star at the top.
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Decorate and Serve:
- Once the tree is assembled, dust the entire structure with powdered sugar to give it a snowy effect.
- Top the final star with a generous swirl of Nutella®, making it the perfect finishing touch. Your Alberello di Biscotti e Nutella® is now ready to serve!
Notes:
- For a more festive touch, you can sprinkle edible glitter or small sugar pearls on the meringues and Nutella®.
- This tree can be made in advance, but it’s best to assemble it on the day you plan to serve it for the freshest results.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve your Alberello di Biscotti e Nutella® at holiday parties, family gatherings, or any celebration that calls for a sweet and impressive dessert. It’s a showstopper that combines flavors and textures everyone will love—crispy cookies, creamy Nutella®, and sweet, airy meringues.
This recipe is an ideal dessert for those who love the flavor combination of Nutella® and almond, with a touch of festive fun. It’s a perfect centerpiece for your holiday spread and a sweet, shareable treat that will bring smiles to everyone at the table. Enjoy your cookie tree, and let the celebrations begin!
