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Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 112 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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

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

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