Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer (Multiple Filling Options)
This puff pastry Christmas tree appetizer is simple to make with just a handful of ingredients, multiple sweet and savory filling options, 10 minutes of prep time, and everyone will want the recipe! Perfect as either a Christmas appetizer, for brunch, or for New Year’s Eve parties!
If you are using homemade pesto, you’ll first need to prepare this (I use this traditional basil pesto or this pistachio pesto for vegan). It takes just a couple of minutes to make with a blender.
Step 1: Cut the Puff Pastry
Gently lay out the two sheets of puff pastry and roll them gently into 11x13-inch rectangles (28x33 cm).
Cut out the Christmas tree shape from the first sheet of pastry. You want to make a large triangle (with the point starting at the center of the top of the pastry sheet) with a small 2-inch long rectangle (5 cm) in the center at the bottom (the tree stump). Slice it from the top to the bottom of the pastry sheet lengthwise.You can use a clean ruler to help you do this evenly, rather than free-hand. Alternatively, draw and cut out the tree template on some parchment paper and use this to cut around.
Lay the first Christmas tree over the second sheet of pastry as a guideline. You can optionally cut out a star-shaped Christmas tree "topper" from the pastry scraps too.There’s no need to waste any of these odd-shaped scraps, either. You can fill them too and make them into individual pastries to nibble on.
Step 2: Fill and Shape the Christmas Tree
Preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC (fan assisted).
Make sure you have all the elements ready in front of you (cut-out pastry, pesto, freshly shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes, and melted butter).
Over one of the Christmas tree puff pastry sheets, gently spread a layer of pesto, and then top with the shredded cheese. Leave around ½-inch border with no filling (around 1 cm).
Lay the second sheet of pastry over the first. Gently press the edges to help them seal a bit.
Now it’s time to twist the Christmas tree branches:Using either a knife or pizza wheel, cut every 1½-2 inches (4-5 cm) apart down both sides of the tree (leaving the top 2 inches/5 cm of the tree). Leave 2-3 inches/5-8 cm of space in the middle, leaving less as you slice closer to the top of the tree (refer to the images).Once again, use a ruler to help you make even and straight slices in the dough.
Twist each branch upwards once (the bottom 2-3 branches may twist twice).
Once twisted, brush the puff pastry Christmas tree with the melted butter and place a whole cherry tomato on each tree branch.You can also place a star (stuffed with pesto) on top of the tree before baking. Make little parcels with the rest of the dough and fill them with pesto as well.
Step 3: Bake the pesto puff pastry Christmas tree
Transfer the puff pastry Christmas tree to a baking sheet (keep it on the parchment paper it comes with) and bake for between 15-18 minutes until puffed up and golden.
Then remove from the oven, place the "star" at the top of the tree (if you made one), allow to cool for several minutes, then enjoy! You can brush with some extra pesto if wanted.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Makeahead: you can assemble the unbaked puff pastry Christmas tree and store it covered in the refrigerator for several hours before baking (or overnight when using a filling that isn't very oily). Alternatively, prepare the entire pastry and reheat it before serving.Store: once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for between 3-4 days.Freeze: you can also freeze the pesto puff pastry for up to three months. Leave it to defrost in the fridge overnight.Reheat: you can enjoy the puff pastry appetizer chilled or at room temperature. However, to reheat the tomato pesto tart, you can either use the microwave (will be soft) or gently crisp it up again in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Video
Notes
Make half and half: if you want to fill the Christmas tree puff pastry with two different fillings, simply spread one over the left half and one over the right half of the pastry.
To shape it like a wreath: follow my method for this Tarte Soleil, removing the center to make a wreath shape. You could optionally cut out a few slices like holly leaves and round berries to decorate the wreath with.
To shape it like a snowflake: Follow the method for the Tarte soleil. However, instead of twisting each branch in the same direction, grab two at once, twisting them both outwards, then pinching the ends together. Repeat with the remaining branches, and it will look like a snowflake.
Optionally serve with a sauce: guests can pull off the "branches" like breadsticks and either eat alone or with a dip like warm marinara sauce.
Alternative filling method: instead of first cutting then adding the topping, you can spread the pesto and cheese over one layer of dough before topping it with the other and slicing. I prefer the former, as it means I can potentially use different fillings and/or make different use of some scraps, but either will work.
Adapt the branch sizes: make them slightly thicker/thinner based on how many twisted branches you want to make. I wouldn’t go thinner than 1 inch (2 cm), though, as they become harder to turn without making a mess.
If the pastry becomes very soft before baking: chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. If it’s too soft before baking, it will affect the layers and bake of the pastry.
Strawberry cheesecake: add a fairly neutral cream cheese layer beneath strawberry jam (or your fruit jam of choice) or compote.
Nutella: you could also make a sweet Christmas tree puff pastry with the addition of regular or homemade (healthier) Nutella.
Cinnamon sugar: brush a layer of melted butter, then sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar.
Nutella churro: this version is a combination of the two above. Spread a layer of Nutella within the tree and top with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.
Parmesan topping: sprinkle the pastry tree appetizer with a bit of parmesan cheese and some dried herbs like oregano.
Check the blog post for more tips and answers to top FAQs!