Christmas, it’s a time of celebration and joy, but often, for the person who has the responsibility of planning the festive feast, it can be a time of stress. Not only do you have the stress of finding the perfect gift for friends and family, but you also want to host the perfect meal. There’s weeks of planning, lists to be made, and multiple dishes and multiple courses.
So, in the lead up to Christmas I’ll be sharing 12 treats with you. 12 treats that will hopefully inspire you and in some small way ease the stress of planning your Christmas feast.
Today we are starting with this absolutely gorgeous Christmas wreath. Not only is it delicious, it’s an edible centrepiece for your Christmas table!
Imagine this gorgeous wreath the centerpiece on your Christmas table, perhaps with an arrangement of candles in the middle or some flowers, and imagine the surprise when you tell everyone that not only did you make it but that at the end of the meal they get to eat it!
This Strawberry and Chocolate Chip Christmas wreath is delicious. The crust is lightly crunchy and the middle is soft and oozing with jam and dark chocolate chips. It’s sticky and messy, but damn is it good, and despite it’s looks, amazingly simple to make too! Just try not to eat it before your guests arrive!
Strawberry & Chocolate Chip Christmas Wreath
Recipe adapted from Donna Hay magazine Dec-Jan 2013
Ingredients
- 1 tsp dry yeast
- 2 tbs caster sugar superfine
- 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
- 1 1/2 tbs of warm milk
- 1 1/2 cups of 00 flour 225g, superfine
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tbs of vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup of dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup of strawberry jam
- 1 tbs of milk for brushing
- 1 tbs of raw sugar
Instructions
- Combine the yeast, sugar, water and milk in a jug and stir to combine. Place in a warm area for 5 minute or until bubbles appear on the surface.
- Add the flour and cinnamon in a bowl and mix to combine and make a well in the center. Add the oil and yeast mixture and mix to form a dough. Remove from the bowl and place on a lightly floured bench and knead for 5 to 6 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a bowl and place the dough in the bowl and cover with a damp tea towel and set aside for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 200 Celsius (400 Fahrenheit) and roll out the dough into a 55cm (21.5 inches) by 25cm (10 inches) large rectangle. Spread the strawberry jam over dough and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Roll the dough lengthways (from the long edge) to cover the filling, as you would a swiss roll. Then take a sharp knife and cut lengthways through the dough down the middle. This will reveal the jam filling. Turn the cut pieces of dough so the jam filling is facing up.
- Place the dough halves onto baking paper cross the ends over each other to form an X shape and pinch the two of the ends together to seal. Begin braiding the dough, crossing each piece of dough over the other to form a rope. Check out this video if you aren't quite clear on the process.
- Curl the braided dough to form a circle, making sure the jam filling is facing up, and fold the two ends of the braid together to complete the circle.
- Transfer the baking paper onto a baking tray and brush with milk and sprinkle with raw sugar and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
this is one gorgeous wreath Jennifer. I plan on making one for us and i hope it turns our as beautiful as yours
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Beautiful… just beautiful.
Joanna @ Chic & Gorgeous Treats says
You are such a talented baker and I am in love with this beautiful wreath. Best part it’s edible, but I wouldn’t want to ruin it by taking a bite, although it is seriously tempting. Have a wonderful week ahead. hugs, Jo
Lora @cakeduchess says
I just love this wreath, Jennifer. It’s so pretty for the holidays. I always dream of doing so many things and the time runs out so quickly;P
Jennifer says
Yes, I know what you mean Lora :). Time just seems to evaporate at this time of the year.
Christine @ Cooking Crusade says
Oh YUMMM! Edible centrepieces are the best kind in my opinion heheh.
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
There’s so much planning in front of me. Christmas time is a busy time and a tip or two for dishes are always helpful 🙂
Kathryn says
This is just stunning Jennifer!
Sara (Belly Rumbles) says
Fantastic idea and flavour combos, just plain delicious.
thelittleloaf says
What a wonderful Christmas centrepice and how funny, I made wreaths this weekend too (although very different!). Really want to see what the oozy middle looks like so may just have to make this!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
This is SO pretty! how clever you are.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What a beautiful wreath! I love wreath themes for Christmas 🙂 Also the recipe so simple to put together too but doesn’t look it if you know what I mean!
Stephanie - The Dessert Spoon says
It looks so festive! It’s such a great idea and one that you can easily customise to your own taste. For me, I would probably use plum, chocolate and almonds. I look forward to seeing the rest of your Christmas treats.
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
This is gorgeous…and looks incredibly delicious too!!!
muppy says
so delicious 🙂 great idea
suzanne Perazzini says
That is completely spectacular and a great opening offering for your 12 Christmas treats.
cakewhiz says
this is SOOOO beautiful! the perfect christmas wreath i have ever laid eyes on 😉
Muzic says
correction, that should be white wheat flour!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Your wreath is so pretty, what a festive idea for the holidays!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much Laura 😀
Muzic says
This recipe sounds delicious, but the instructions on how to roll it into the wreath shape ( steps 3 & 4) are unclear and very confusing. A step-by-step pictorial guide would be an enormous help.
Thanks!!
Jennifer says
Hi Muzic,
I’ve updated the instructions so hopefully they make more sense and included a link to a youtube video showing the process of rolling the dough and braiding. Hopefully this makes it clearer. I’ll try to take some photos of the process in the next day or so though. 🙂
Muzic says
Oh, thank you so very much, I really appreciate your response. Now I see exactly what you mean, your instructions are much more clearly stated now. I do understand the process now, 🙂 and am eager to try this recipe and this technique. Thank you for posting this recipe, and thank you for responding!
Jennifer says
You’re welcome 😀 It was a little complicated to explain, but in reality it easy to make. I’m glad my updated instructions make it clearer, and hopefully the video link does as well. If you make it I’ve love to hear how it goes. I think it would be lovely with so many different flavour combinations. Thanks again for visiting 🙂
Muzic says
I plan on making it with a black cherry spread rather than the strawberry, as the black cherry (sweetened with fruit juice only) is a family favorite, and goes very well with chocolate! I was thinking a light dusting of slivered almonds around the outside might be nice, too. I will make it for Christmas dinner, and report back to you with pictures, 🙂 I am excited to try it, it looks easy and beautiful. I am diabetic, and appreciate that this is basically a low sugar recipe, I will also make it whole grain by using white white flour, which I bake routinely with, with success. I am glad I’ve accidentally stumbled across your website, I’ve been a vegetarian for over 40 years, and your photos and recipes really look and sound attractive to me. I look forward to investigating more of it! Thanks again!
Jennifer says
Mmm a cherry and chocolate version sounds fantastic 😀