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Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Lora
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This festive Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a delightful and visually appealing appetizer or snack perfect for holiday gatherings. Two layers of flaky puff pastry sandwich a sweet or savory filling, intricately twisted to resemble a Christmas tree and topped with a charming star made from pastry scraps. Easy to customize with your favorite spreads, this recipe bakes to a golden crisp and is perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

Puff Pastry

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

Filling

  • ¼ to ⅓ cup sweet or savory spread (e.g., chocolate spread, jam, pesto, or cheese spread)

Extras

  • 1 large egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon water (to whisk with the egg)
  • Flaky salt for sprinkling (optional, for savory version)
  • Powdered sugar (for sweet version, to finish)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for savory version, to finish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  2. Prepare First Puff Pastry Layer. On a lightly floured surface, unfold one sheet of puff pastry and roll it out into a 10x13-inch rectangle using a rolling pin. Carefully transfer this pastry to the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Spread Filling. Evenly spread your desired sweet or savory filling over the pastry, making sure to cover the entire surface up to the edges.
  4. Prepare Second Puff Pastry Layer. Roll the second puff pastry sheet into a 10x13-inch rectangle. Place this second sheet on top of the first, sandwiching the filling between the two layers.
  5. Cut Pastry into Shape. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the layered pastry into a large triangle shape. Set aside the trimmed corners — these will be used later. Optionally, cut out a trunk shape from the bottom of the triangle, saving those pieces as well.
  6. Slice Tree Branches. Starting from the bottom of the triangle, make 1-inch interval cuts into the pastry on both sides of a 1-inch uncut strip down the center, which will form the tree trunk. Leave the top 3 inches uncut as those pieces will be too small to twist.
  7. Twist Tree Branches. Carefully twist each cut strip, twisting longer strips about three times and shorter top pieces one to two times, to give the tree its characteristic layered look.
  8. Create and Attach Star. Cut a star shape out of the reserved pastry scraps using a knife or cookie cutter. Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash, then brush this on the star and attach it to the top of the tree.
  9. Brush Egg Wash on Tree and Scraps. Brush the entire tree with the egg wash. Cut the remaining scraps into strips, twist them, and place these twisted strips on a separate baking sheet or around the edges of the main sheet if space permits, ensuring they don’t touch the tree. Brush these with the egg wash as well.
  10. Apply Finishing Touches. If you chose a savory filling, lightly sprinkle flaky sea salt over the tree and twisted strips for added texture and flavor.
  11. Bake the Tree. Bake the puff pastry tree and scraps in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is deeply golden on top and cooked through at the bottom.
  12. Cool and Finish. Let the pastry tree cool for 5-10 minutes. If you used a sweet filling, dust the tree with powdered sugar. For savory fillings, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

Notes

  • You can customize the filling with sweet options like chocolate spread, jam, or Nutella, or savory options such as pesto, tapenade, or cheese spreads.
  • Ensure the puff pastry is properly thawed to roll out easily without tearing.
  • Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for cleaner cuts to maintain the tree’s shape.
  • Serve warm for the best flavor and flaky texture.
  • The twisted strips made from scraps are perfect little snacks and help reduce waste.
  • If using a savory filling, flaky sea salt enhances the flavor and adds a delightful crunch.

Find it online: https://meallora.com/puff-pastry-christmas-tree-recipe/