The holiday season is all about gathering with loved ones. It’s a time for joy, laughter, and of course, amazing food. But let’s be honest, hosting can feel a little overwhelming sometimes. You want to impress your guests without spending the entire day in the kitchen. That’s where amazing Christmas appetizers come in.
I have the perfect recipe for you. This Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath looks like it came from a fancy bakery, but it’s so simple to make. It’s one of those brilliant Christmas Party Food Ideas that everyone will be talking about long after the party is over. It’s festive, flavorful, and incredibly easy.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is a visual showstopper. It literally looks like a Christmas wreath on your table. It brings that festive spirit right to your appetizer spread. Can you just imagine your guests’ faces when you bring this out? It’s a conversation starter for sure.
It’s also incredibly simple. We are using store bought puff pastry, which is a wonderful shortcut. This means you get all the credit for a beautiful, flaky pastry without any of the hard work. It’s a fantastic choice for Holiday Party Appetizers when your to do list is already a mile long.
The flavor is just fantastic. The rich, savory pesto pairs beautifully with the buttery, light puff pastry. A little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top adds a salty kick. Served with warm marinara sauce for dipping, it is simply delicious. It’s a classic combination that almost everyone loves.
Plus, this is one of those great Christmas Finger Foods. No need for forks or plates. People can just grab a twisted piece and enjoy. This makes it ideal for mingling and casual holiday gatherings. Easy to make, beautiful to look at, and fun to eat. What’s not to love?
Ingredients
You will be so happy to see how short this ingredient list is. We are talking about a handful of items that create something truly special. Here is what you will need for these easy christmas appetizers.
- All purpose flour, for dusting your work surface
- 1 (17.3 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1/4 cup homemade or store bought pesto
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to create some holiday magic? Following these steps will give you a beautiful and delicious wreath every single time. Let’s get started on one of the best Christmas appetizers you’ll ever make.
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pastry
First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s heating up, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the wreath from sticking and make cleanup so much easier.
Next, lightly flour your work surface. Unfold both sheets of your thawed puff pastry. Using a rolling pin, gently roll each sheet into a 10 inch square. Don’t press too hard, you want to keep those lovely layers intact.
Step 2: Create the Wreath Shape
Now for the fun part. You need to cut each pastry square into a large circle. The easiest way to do this is to find a large bowl or a small plate that is about 10 inches wide. Place it on the pastry and carefully trace around it with a sharp knife.
Once you have two large circles, you will cut a smaller circle from the center of each one. A 4 inch cookie cutter or a small bowl works well for this. This creates your two wreath shapes. Don’t throw away the leftover pastry pieces! We’ll use them soon.
Step 3: Add the Pesto Filling
Place one of the pastry wreaths onto your prepared baking sheet. Spoon the pesto onto the pastry and spread it out in an even layer. Be sure to leave about a quarter inch border around both the inside and outside edges. This will help you seal the wreath properly.
Step 4: Assemble and Seal the Wreath
Carefully place the second puff pastry wreath directly on top of the pesto covered one. Gently press down along the inside and outside edges to seal them together. You can use your fingers or the tines of a fork to make sure it’s closed up tight.
Now grab those reserved pastry pieces. Use a small circular cutter or the top of a spice jar to cut out nine small circles. These will become our festive holly berries.
Step 5: Apply the Egg Wash and Cut
In a small bowl, beat the egg with one tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture all over the top of the wreath. This is what gives it that beautiful, golden brown shine when it bakes.
Using a sharp knife or a pizza wheel, cut strips into the wreath about 1 inch wide. Start from the outside edge and cut towards the center, but stop about 1 inch from the inner circle. You want to keep the inner ring intact so the wreath holds its shape.
Step 6: Add Berries and Twist
Dip each of the little pastry ‘berries’ into the remaining egg wash. Arrange them in clusters of three around the wreath to look like holly. They add such a cute, festive touch.
Now, carefully take each strip you cut and twist it two or three times. Try to twist all the strips in the same direction for a uniform look. This creates the beautiful pull apart effect that makes these Christmas Finger Foods so fun to eat.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the wreath is puffed up and a deep golden brown. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing. This is the hardest part, just waiting for it to be done!
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Carefully remove the wreath from the oven. Let it cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps it set up a little bit. After a few minutes, sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and serve it warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is unlikely, storing them is easy. Wait for the wreath to cool completely to room temperature. This is important to prevent it from getting soggy.
Once cooled, you can place the leftovers in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing it, as the texture of the puff pastry will change upon thawing.
When you are ready to enjoy it again, the best way to reheat it is in the oven or an air fryer. A few minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit will bring back that wonderful crispiness. I would avoid the microwave, as it can make the pastry soft and chewy.
Tips
Want to make your Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath even better? Keep the puff pastry cold. If it gets too warm while you are working with it, it can become sticky and difficult to handle. If it feels too soft, just pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
Feel free to get creative with the filling. While pesto is classic, you could try other spreads. A mix of cream cheese, herbs, and garlic would be delicious. Or what about a tapenade? There are so many great Christmas Party Food Ideas you can explore with this basic technique.
Don’t be shy with the Parmesan cheese. A generous sprinkle after it comes out of the oven adds a wonderful salty, nutty flavor that complements the pesto perfectly. You could even add a little bit inside the wreath with the pesto for an extra cheesy bite.
Serving dips are a great idea. Marinara is a classic choice, but a warm spinach and artichoke dip or even a simple garlic aioli would be fantastic. Offering a few options makes your Holiday Party Appetizers spread even more appealing.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, elegant, and incredibly tasty appetizer that is sure to be the star of your holiday table. This recipe proves that you don’t need to be a professional baker to create impressive Christmas appetizers.
With just a few simple ingredients and easy to follow steps, you can make a beautiful Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath that your friends and family will adore. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a tradition. I hope you give it a try this holiday season and enjoy every flaky, savory bite.
FAQ
Can I Use a Different Filling?
Absolutely! This wreath is very versatile. You could use a sundried tomato pesto, an olive tapenade, or a mix of shredded cheese and herbs. Just make sure your filling is not too wet, as it could make the pastry soggy. It’s a great base for many Christmas Party Food Ideas.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can. You can assemble the entire wreath up to the point of baking, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just brush it with the egg wash and pop it in the oven. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What Should I Serve This With?
Warm marinara sauce is the perfect companion for this pesto wreath. However, you could also serve it with a garlic aioli, a creamy ranch dip, or even just on its own. It’s one of those christmas appetizers that is delicious no matter what.
My Puff Pastry Didn’t Puff Up. What Went Wrong?
This usually happens for one of two reasons. The most common issue is that the puff pastry got too warm before baking. It needs to be cold for the layers of butter to create steam and puff up. Another reason could be that your oven was not hot enough. Make sure it’s fully preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath
This simple Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath looks festive and impressive, making it an easy choice for any holiday gathering. It’s a flavorful and quick appetizer to enjoy.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large Oven Baking Pan with Parchment Paper Roll. Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold both sheets of thawed puff pastry and gently roll each into a 10-inch square using an Adjustable Rolling Pin.
- Cut each pastry square into a 10-inch circle using a large bowl or plate as a guide. Cut a smaller 4-inch circle from the center of each, creating two wreath shapes, using a Round Cookie Cutter Set or a small bowl. Reserve the leftover pastry pieces.
- Place one pastry wreath onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the pesto evenly, leaving a ¼-inch border around both the inside and outside edges.
- Carefully place the second puff pastry wreath on top of the pesto-covered one. Gently press along the inside and outside edges to seal them together.
- From the reserved pastry pieces, cut nine small circles to resemble holly berries.
- Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture over the top of the wreath.
- Using a Japanese Chef Knife or pizza wheel, cut 1-inch wide strips from the outside edge towards the center, stopping 1 inch from the inner circle to keep the ring intact.
- Dip each pastry ‘berry’ into the remaining egg wash. Arrange them in clusters of three around the wreath.
- Carefully twist each strip two or three times in the same direction for a uniform look.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
If you happen to have any leftovers, wait for the wreath to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
Keep the puff pastry cold while working with it to ensure flaky layers. If it becomes too soft, chill it in the fridge briefly.
Feel free to get creative with the filling. Other options include sundried tomato pesto, olive tapenade, or a mix of cream cheese, herbs, and garlic, ensuring the filling is not too wet.
Don’t be shy with the Parmesan cheese. A generous sprinkle after baking adds a wonderful salty, nutty flavor. You can also add some inside the wreath with the pesto for extra cheesiness.
Serving dips are a great idea. Marinara is classic, but a warm spinach and artichoke dip or a simple garlic aioli would also be fantastic.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
