Puff Pastry Christmas Tree: Sweet or Savory Variations
Made with buttery puff pastry and your choice of a sweet or savory filling, this puff pastry Christmas tree is an easy and fun holiday breakfast, appetizer, or dessert!
What is a Puff Pastry Christmas Tree?
The puff pastry Christmas tree is a delightful treat that can be made sweet or savory, using two sheets of puff pastry filled with your choice of ingredients. After layering your filling, the pastry is cut into a tree shape and twisted to resemble branches, topped with a star cutout for an enchanting holiday look. This “tear and share” recipe allows guests to pull off branches to enjoy its delicious flavors.
How to Make a Sweet or Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
This impressive puff pastry Christmas tree is deceptively simple to create. If you’ve enjoyed other puff pastry recipes like apple tarts or cherry turnovers, this will quickly become a favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 sheets thawed puff pastry
- ¼ to ⅓ cup sweet or savory spread
- 1 large egg
- Flaky salt for sprinkling (savory version only)
- Powdered sugar or parmesan cheese to finish
Making This Recipe
To begin, roll out a puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface to a 10×13-inch rectangle, then carefully transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread your filling evenly across the pastry, ensuring coverage all the way to the edges. Roll the second pastry sheet similarly and layer it on top, encasing the filling.
Next, cut the pastry into a large triangle to form your tree. Keep the trimmings; these can help create a tree trunk. Make cuts from the bottom to the top of the triangle, leaving an uncut strip in the middle for the trunk and about three inches at the top uncut for twisting purposes. Twist each strip to form the branches.
For the finishing touch, create a star from the pastry scraps and attach it to the top using an egg wash made by whisking the egg with water. Brush the entire tree with the egg wash and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if making a savory version.
Once baked at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through, let it cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar or parmesan cheese for decoration.
Filling Options
The filling is entirely adaptable based on your preference! For sweet versions, you might consider options like:
- Fruit preserves
- Nut butter and jam
- Chocolate spread
For savory variations, try:
- Pesto
- Spinach and cheese
- Herbed cream cheese
Make-Ahead Tips
For ease during the holidays, you can prepare this tree ahead of time. Simply assemble it up to the point of brushing with the egg wash, then either refrigerate for a few hours before baking or freeze long-term. When ready to bake, add the egg wash and proceed with baking instructions, adjusting the time as necessary if baking from frozen.
