Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer Recipe
This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer is a festive, easy-to-make holiday treat featuring flaky puff pastry layers filled with basil pesto and melted mozzarella, shaped into a decorative Christmas tree with a golden, crispy finish and garnished with rosemary sprigs, cherry tomatoes, and a cheddar cheese star.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Puff Pastry Tree
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed but still cold
- 0.5 cup basil pesto or spinach pesto, or olive tapenade
- 1 cup mozzarella shredded
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan finely grated, optional
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional, for brushing
- 1 tablespoon sesame or poppy seeds optional, for crunch
Garnish
- 4 sprigs rosemary fresh
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 1 cheddar star small, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare puff pastry: Lightly roll each puff pastry sheet to even out the seams. Place one sheet on the prepared pan. Spread the pesto evenly over it, leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the pesto. Top with the second puff pastry sheet and press to seal the edges.
- Cut tree shape: Using a sharp knife, cut a large triangle to form a tree shape, leaving a small rectangle at the base to represent the trunk. Remove the outer pastry scraps and save them for creating decorative stars or twists later if desired.
- Create branches: On both sides of the triangle, cut horizontal strips about 1 inch apart stopping before the center line so the middle serves as the tree spine. Gently twist each strip 1 to 2 times to form the branches of the tree.
- Apply egg wash and seasonings: Brush the entire tree with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning (or dried oregano), and optional sesame or poppy seeds for extra flavor and crunch. Place the small cheddar star on top of the tree for garnish.
- Bake: Bake for 18 to 25 minutes until the pastry is puffed and deep golden brown. If the tips brown too quickly, tent the tree loosely with foil during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning.
- Garnish and serve: Let the tree cool for 5 minutes. Arrange rosemary sprigs around the tree and scatter cherry tomatoes on and around it to look like ornaments. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Keep the puff pastry cold until ready to use to ensure maximum flakiness.
- If you prefer, use spinach pesto or olive tapenade instead of basil pesto for different flavors.
- Save the leftover pastry scraps to make small decorative shapes like stars or twists to decorate the tree or serve alongside.
- Egg wash helps achieve a golden color and crisp texture but can be omitted for a vegan adaptation.
- Brush lightly with olive oil before baking if you want a crisper crust.
- Use fresh herbs and ripe cherry tomatoes for the most vibrant garnish.
