Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer Recipe

Introduction

This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer is a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Crispy, golden puff pastry layers with a vibrant pesto filling make it as beautiful as it is tasty. It’s simple to prepare and sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 2 puff pastries
• 3 to 4 tablespoons pesto
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan or pecorino
• 1 beaten egg yolk + 1 tablespoon of milk (for gilding)
• 1 handful of seed mixture

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Step 2: Unroll the first puff pastry sheet on your work surface.
3. Step 3: Spread the pesto evenly over the first puff pastry. Sprinkle parmesan or pecorino cheese on top, then cover with the second puff pastry sheet.
4. Step 4: Trim the dough to shape a Christmas tree, discarding the excess pastry.
5. Step 5: Cut out fir tree branches on each side of the trunk and use a cookie cutter to make a few stars. Twist each branch gently onto itself to create dimension.
6. Step 6: Brush the entire tree with the beaten egg yolk and milk mixture. Sprinkle the seed mixture on top for decoration.
7. Step 7: Bake for about 30 minutes until the pastry is well risen and golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a different flavor, try replacing the pesto with sun-dried tomato paste or olive tapenade.
• Use your favorite seeds—such as sesame, poppy, or pumpkin—for varied texture and appearance.
• If you don’t have a cookie cutter, carefully cut star shapes by hand with a small knife.
• Serve warm with a side of marinara or ranch dip for extra indulgence.

Storage

Store any leftover puff pastry tree in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. To keep it crisp, reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 5 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this appetizer in advance?

You can assemble the tree ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for a few hours before baking. Just brush with egg wash and bake shortly before serving to maintain a crispy texture.

What can I use instead of pesto?

If you don’t have pesto, alternatives like cream cheese mixed with herbs, tomato paste, or olive tapenade work well as flavorful fillings.

Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 112 reviews

• Author: Lila
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer is a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Crispy, golden layers of puff pastry are filled with vibrant pesto and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, shaped into an eye-catching Christmas tree. A mixture of seeds adds a delightful crunch and visual appeal. It’s an easy-to-make savory appetizer that brings holiday cheer to your table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pastry

• 2 sheets of puff pastry

Filling

• 3 to 4 tablespoons pesto
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

Gilding & Decoration

• 1 beaten egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 handful seed mixture (such as sesame, poppy, sunflower seeds)

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C (356°F) to prepare for baking the puff pastry Christmas tree.
2. Prepare the base pastry: Unroll the first sheet of puff pastry on a clean work surface, ready for spreading the filling.
3. Spread the filling: Evenly spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of pesto over the first puff pastry. Then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese on top of the pesto layer. Cover this layer with the second sheet of puff pastry.
4. Cut into tree shape: Using a knife, cut the combined puff pastry sheets into the shape of a Christmas tree. Remove the excess pastry from around the tree shape.
5. Shape the branches: Cut slits on each side of the tree trunk to form the branches. Twist each branch carefully onto itself to create a beautiful layered effect. Additionally, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a few stars from the leftover pastry for decoration.
6. Apply the glaze: Mix the beaten egg yolk and milk together, then brush this mixture generously over the entire tree to give it a golden brown finish when baked. Sprinkle the seed mixture on top for added texture and festiveness.
7. Bake the pastry: Place the prepared tree on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the dough is fully risen, puffed, and golden brown.

Notes

• Ensure the puff pastry is cold before you begin working with it to keep it flaky.
• You can substitute the pesto with other savory spreads like tapenade or sun-dried tomato paste.
• Use an egg wash of egg yolk and milk for a shiny golden finish. For a deeper color, use only egg yolk.
• The seed mixture adds texture and festive appearance; use your favorites.
• Let the puff pastry cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to keep crisp.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European

Keywords: puff pastry, Christmas tree appetizer, holiday snacks, pesto, parmesan, festive appetizer, savory pastry