Delicious sheets of puff pastry filled with pesto sauce and make this Christmas Tree Puff Pastry the perfect puff pastry recipe and addition to your holiday menu.
This recipe is easier to put together than you think, and it makes a beautiful display on any buffet table. Let me show you how to make one of my favorite appetizers.
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The recipe I'm sharing with you today is a savory recipe made with pesto sauce.
If you want to try a sweet recipe, try my Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree that's filled with sweet hazelnut cream.
Table of Contents
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Your family and friends are going to be so impressed with you when you place this Christmas tree appetizer on your buffet table over the holiday season...really!
Skip the usual holiday treats and try these adorable Puff Pastry Trees on a Stick! Made with simple ingredients like puff pastry and hazelnut spread, they're easy to make and even easier to devour.
Puff Pastry Appetizers
Using puff pastry to create delicious appetizers is easy. My Tomato Tarts recipe would pair nicely with this recipe as well over the holidays. Or try the spinach artichoke puff pastry tree.
If you're looking for more Christmas tree appetizers, check out my Christmas Tree Cheese Board recipe that's made to sit on top of a chalkboard platter that you can customize.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
OXO SteeL Pizza Wheel and CutterMore InformationParchment Paper Baking SheetsMore InformationNon-Stick Cooking/Baking SheetMore InformationChristmas Theme Holiday-Inspired Ceramic Plates 8More InformationChristmas Cloth Napkins Red Black Buffalo Plaid PlacematMore InformationNorpro Wood Pastry/Pizza RollerMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
- 2 sheets of puff pastry
- Pesto Sauce
- 1 egg
You can use homemade pesto sauce if you prefer, but I find it easier to reach for a favorite jar of pesto sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Using the Pastry Roller, roll out the first sheet of puff pastry onto a piece of parchment paper. THEN gently lift the parchment paper and place it on to a baking sheet.
Step 2: Next, roll out the second sheet of puff pastry and set aside. Spread the pesto sauce on the sheet of puff pastry that's on the baking sheet. Then add the second sheet of puff pastry on top to make a sandwich.
Quick Tip
Make a template on parchment paper to help you cut the shape of the Christmas tree on to the puff pastry. Lay the template directly on top of the puff pastry.
Or you can do it freehand!
Step 3: Use a Pizza Wheel Cutter or a sharp knife and cut out the Christmas tree shape in the puff pastry making sure you cut a tree trunk at the bottom.
Step 4: Lay the extra sections of puff pastry aside.You'll need to cut the star for the top of the tree with this extra puff pastry.
Step 5: Make the branches of the tree by slicing into the puff pastry from the side being careful to not slice all the way through. Then start twisting.
Step 6: Press the edges of the twisted branches down into the puff pastry so they don't pop up.
Step 7: Use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut out the star for the top of the tree out of the excess puff pastry dough. You can roll up the other excess puff pastry into crescent shapes and bake alongside the tree.
Baking Instructions
Step 8: Brush the entire tree with the beaten egg. Bake in the preheated 375° F oven for 15 minutes or until the entire pastry is puffed and golden brown.
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Serving Tips
- Allow the pastry cool slightly before sliding it off the parchment paper onto a serving platter.
- If you don't have a serving platter large enough to hold the Christmas Tree, use a regular baking tray that you cover with fresh parchment paper.
- All your guests need to do is pull a branch off and enjoy!
Puff Pastry Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating Tips: Reheat the leftovers in the microwave for about 15 seconds which will warm up the puff pastry nicely.
More Recipes to Love
Christmas Tree Cheese Board Appetizer or How to Create the Perfect Cheese Board - perfect for any celebration or holiday!
📖 Recipe Card
Christmas Tree Puff Pastry Appetizer with Pesto Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 - 17.3 oz package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
- 4 to 6 Tablespoons prepared Pesto Sauce
- 1 egg beaten
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Sprinkle a little flour on top of a sheet of parchment paper.
- Unfold one sheet of puff pastry on top of the parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out the puff pastry sheet into an 11 X 13 inch rectangle. Gently lift the parchment paper and transfer to a baking sheet.
- Spread the pesto sauce on top of the puff pastry sheet being careful not to go too close to the edge.
- Unfold the second sheet of puff pastry and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out also into an 11 X 13 inch rectangle.
- Gently place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the first sheet of puff pastry that has the pesto sauce. Press gently to seal the two sheets together.
- Using a piece of printer paper or parchment paper, cut out a Christmas tree shape to use as a template.
- Place the Christmas tree template on top of the puff pastry and using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut out the Christmas tree shape. Reserve the extra pieces.
- Now it's time to form and slice the "branches" of the tree. I like to place a ruler down the center of the puff pastry Christmas tree to use as a guide, but it's not necessary.
- Starting on one side, make horizontal slices into the sides of the Christmas tree triangle being careful to stop before you reach the center.
- Repeat the same process on the other side of the Christmas tree triangle; again being careful to stop before reaching the center. You want to leave a 1 to 2 inch section down the middle of the tree that is not sliced.
- Starting at the bottom, twist the branches away from you. Press the edge of the branch firmly into the parchment paper to keep the branch from untwisting.
- Continue twisting the branches moving up the tree and then move on to the other side and twist those branches as well.
- With the excess puff pastry, use a star cookie cutter and make a star for the top of the tree. You can also cut out more shapes for the excess puff pastry and bake them separately as well.
- Brush the entire pastry with the beaten egg.
- Bake in the preheated oven until puffy and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
- You can gently slide the Christmas tree pastry on to a serving platter. Or lift the parchment paper off the baking tray and place on top of a serving platter.
Nutrition
Notes
- You can use Nutella Spread to make this a sweet appetizer or dessert.
- You will have extra puff pastry dough with pesto leftover. I went ahead and cut more stars out of the excess dough and baked them off as a "cook's treat." Or you can add them to your serving tray for your guests to enjoy.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Kat says
Can follow dough work for this recipe?
Lois says
No, it wouldn't work. 🙁 You will not get the same result..
Carol says
This looks delicious and fun! Was thinking of making this with pesto and shredded mozzarella. Would that cheese work in this recipe?
Lois says
I think mozzarella cheese would work great!
Becky L Rudella says
Definitely! I added a little more than 1cup on top of the pesto, and it was delicious!
Lois says
Glad to hear!
Sara says
Can this be prepped early in the day and baked just before the party?
Lois says
Yes, this recipe can be prepped earlier in the day. I do this all the time. Assemble the puff pastry Christmas tree, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready, bake it just before your guests arrive so it’s warm and fresh for the party.