3-ingredient Christmas tree

This easy dessert comes together with two main ingredients: chocolate spread and readymade pastry. Given that, it's surprisingly tasty and makes a great fast dessert for a crowd.

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Remove the pastry from the freezer 20 minutes before needed.

3. Separate the two sheets of pastry, and cut both into equal-sized tree shapes – a triangle with a trunk at the bottom. Save and refreeze the pastry offcuts for mince pies or tomato tartlets.

4. Lay one of the pieces of pastry on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then spread the chocolate over it.

5. Place the second triangle on top, and carefully slice lines on each side of the triangle to create branches, leaving a solid “trunk” in the centre.

6. Twist each branch once, twice or three times, depending on length.

7. Brush with egg.

8. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden. Serve on a platter for people to tear and share, or with scoops of ice cream.

Cook’s note: This recipe was part of a series of recipe tests for hacks seen on Pinterest. The verdict? Extremely delicious and super-easy. You can also use Nutella or any other chocolate spread.

Find more Christmas dessert recipes here.