The holiday season is all about creating wonderful memories. And let’s be honest, a lot of those memories are made around the dinner table. If you are looking for amazing Christmas Tree Appetizer Ideas, you have come to the right place.
This puff pastry Christmas tree is not just food. It is a centerpiece. It is a conversation starter. And best of all, it is surprisingly simple to make. You get all the credit for a fancy appetizer with very little stress. It is a win win.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, it is visually stunning. Imagine bringing this golden, twisted tree to a party. It looks so festive and immediately gets everyone into the holiday spirit. It is one of those Fun Christmas Appetizers that people will talk about for years.
Beyond its good looks, this recipe is incredibly versatile. We are using a savory basil pesto filling today. But you could easily swap it for so many other things. Think cheese, tapenade, or even a sweet filling.
It is also a fantastic recipe for beginners. Working with puff pastry might sound intimidating, but it is very forgiving. This is a great way to build your confidence in the kitchen while making something truly special.
And who doesn’t love finger foods during the holidays? This tree is designed to be pulled apart. Each little twisted branch is a perfect bite. It is one of the best Christmas Appetizers Easy Finger Foods you can make.
It is a recipe that brings people together. You can even get the kids involved in twisting the branches. Making food together is a beautiful part of the holiday season, and this recipe is perfect for that.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to create this edible work of art. The ingredient list is simple, which is great during the busy holiday season.
For The Basil Walnut Pesto
You can absolutely use a good quality store bought pesto to save time. But if you have a few extra minutes, homemade pesto is so fresh and flavorful.
- 2 cups packed basil leaves (about 45g)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 67g)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 cup walnuts (about 20g)
- Zest grated from 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup olive oil (60ml)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For The Pastry and Decoration
- 2 sheets of puff pastry (about 9.5 ounces or 270g each)
- 1 egg
- 4 cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- Small basil leaves for garnish
- 1 slice of gouda cheese
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to build your masterpiece? Let’s walk through it together. It is easier than you think. This is one of my favorite Christmas Tree Appetizer Ideas because it is so straightforward.
Step 1: Preheat The Oven
First things first, get your oven ready. Preheat it to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 220 degrees Celsius. Having the oven at the right temperature from the start is key for getting that beautiful puff on the pastry.
Step 2: Make The Pesto
If you are making your own pesto, now is the time. Grab a food processor. Add all your pesto ingredients: the basil, Parmesan, garlic, walnuts, and lemon zest. Pulse it a few times.
Then, with the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. You want a paste that is mostly smooth but still has a little bit of texture. Season it with salt and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust if needed. Then pop it in the fridge to chill.
Step 3: Prepare The First Puff Pastry Sheet
Take one sheet of puff pastry out of the fridge. It is important to keep the pastry cold so it is easy to work with. Unroll it onto a piece of parchment paper that you have lightly sprinkled with flour.
You will want to roll it out a bit thinner, to about one eighth of an inch or three to four millimeters thick. Mine ended up being a rectangle about 10 by 15 inches. The exact size is not super important, as long as it is a rectangle.
Now for the fun part. Cut a tree shape from the dough. This is just a large triangle for the tree and a small square at the bottom for the trunk. You can do this freehand or use a paper template. Don’t throw away the scraps! We will use them later.
Step 4: Add The Pesto And Second Pastry Sheet
Move your pastry and parchment paper onto a large baking sheet. Now, spread about half a cup of your chilled pesto evenly over the tree shape. Do not go all the way to the edges.
Take your second sheet of puff pastry from the fridge. Roll it out just like the first one. Carefully place it on top of the pesto covered tree. Use your tree shape as a guide to cut the second sheet. It doesn’t have to be exact. Again, save those scraps.
Step 5: Cut and Twist The Branches
This is where your tree really comes to life. Using a knife or a pizza cutter, cut horizontal strips on both sides of the tree. These will be your branches. Make them about three quarters of an inch to one inch apart.
Be careful not to cut through the center of the tree. You want a solid middle section running from top to bottom. Once your branches are cut, take each strip and twist it a few times to create a spiral effect. This looks so great when it is baked.
This twisting motion is what turns simple pastry into one of those truly Festive Christmas Appetizers.
Step 6: Use The Leftover Dough
Remember those scraps we saved? Let’s use them. I like to use a small star shaped cookie cutter to cut out stars from the leftover dough. You can place one big star at the top of your tree. The others can be baked alongside the tree as little extra bites.
Step 7: Egg Wash and Bake
In a small bowl, beat the egg with one tablespoon of water. This is your egg wash. Brush it all over the pastry tree and the stars. This will give it a beautiful, shiny, golden brown finish.
Now it is time to bake. Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, or 160 Celsius, and bake for another 10 minutes.
Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on it. You want it to be golden and puffed up, but not too dark. This process is similar to making Christmas Tree Breadsticks Spinach Dip, just with a different, wonderful filling.
Step 8: Decorate Your Christmas Tree
Once it is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Now for the final touches. This is what makes it one of the best Christmas Tree Appetizer Ideas.
You can decorate it with cherry tomatoes cut in half. They look like little ornaments. I also like to pipe small stars of cream cheese onto the tree. Just put the cream cheese in a small bag and snip the corner.
Sprinkle some small fresh basil leaves for extra color. Finally, use a tiny star cutter to make stars from the slice of gouda cheese and place them on your tree. Your edible masterpiece is ready to serve!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is unlikely, storing them is easy. Let the appetizer cool completely to room temperature. This is important to prevent it from getting soggy.
You can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a day. If you need to store it longer, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat, I suggest using an oven or an air fryer. This will help it get crispy again. A few minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick. I would avoid the microwave as it can make the pastry soft.
Tips
Keep your puff pastry cold. If at any point it becomes sticky or hard to work with, just put it back in the fridge for about 10 minutes to chill. This is the most important tip for working with this type of dough.
Feel free to get creative with fillings. While pesto is classic, you can try other things. A mixture of spinach, feta, and cream cheese would be delicious, turning it into a variation of Christmas Tree Breadsticks Spinach Dip.
You could also try a tapenade, a cheesy garlic butter spread, or even a sweet filling like Nutella or a fruit jam for a dessert version. The possibilities for Christmas Tree Appetizer Ideas are endless.
You can prepare this appetizer ahead of time. Assemble the entire tree, but do not apply the egg wash. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you are ready, just brush with egg wash and bake. This makes party day much easier!
Conclusion
So there you have it. A showstopping, delicious, and surprisingly easy holiday appetizer. This recipe is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can be turned into something truly special for the holidays.
It is one of those Christmas Appetizers Easy Finger Foods that checks all the boxes. It is fun, it is festive, and it tastes amazing. I am sure it will become a new holiday tradition in your home.
I hope you have fun making this. It is one of my all time favorite Christmas Tree Appetizer Ideas. Happy holidays and happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Use Store Bought Pesto?
Absolutely! Using a good quality store bought pesto is a fantastic time saver, especially during the busy holiday season. It will still be incredibly delicious. This is a great shortcut for making Christmas Appetizers Easy Finger Foods.
What Other Fillings Can I Use?
You can use so many different fillings. A savory cheese blend with garlic and herbs is wonderful. A sun dried tomato paste or olive tapenade would also be great. For a sweet version, try a chocolate hazelnut spread or raspberry jam with cream cheese.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can. You can assemble the entire tree, with the filling and twists, up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it well and refrigerate. Just before baking, brush it with the egg wash. This makes it one of the most convenient Festive Christmas Appetizers.
My Puff Pastry Got Too Soft. What Do I Do?
No worries, this is a common issue. If your puff pastry becomes too warm and sticky, simply place it back in the refrigerator on its parchment paper for about 10 to 15 minutes. Chilling it will make it firm and much easier to work with again.
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer
This savory basil pesto puff pastry Christmas tree is a festive, pull-apart appetizer. It’s visually stunning, easy to make, and perfect for holiday gatherings as a delightful finger food.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
- Make the Pesto: In a food processor, combine basil, Parmesan, garlic, walnuts, and lemon zest. Pulse, then slowly drizzle in olive oil until a mostly smooth paste forms. Season with salt and pepper. Chill.
- Prepare First Pastry: Unroll one puff pastry sheet onto lightly floured parchment paper. Roll to about 1/8 inch thick (10×15 inches). Cut into a large tree shape with a small square trunk. Save scraps.
- Add Pesto & Second Pastry: Move pastry and parchment to a large baking sheet. Spread about half a cup of chilled pesto evenly over the tree, avoiding edges. Roll out the second pastry sheet and place it on top, cutting it to match the tree shape. Save scraps.
- Cut and Twist Branches: Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut horizontal strips on both sides of the tree (3/4 to 1 inch apart), leaving a solid center. Twist each strip a few times to create a spiral.
- Use Leftover Dough: Use a small star cookie cutter to cut stars from leftover dough. Place one large star at the top of the tree; bake others alongside.
- Egg Wash and Bake: Beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water for an egg wash. Brush over the pastry tree and stars. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then reduce to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 Celsius) and bake for another 10 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate with halved cherry tomatoes. Pipe small stars of cream cheese. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves. Cut stars from gouda cheese and place on the tree. Serve.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold; chill if it becomes sticky. This is key for easy handling.
Experiment with fillings! Beyond pesto, consider spinach-feta-cream cheese, tapenade, garlic butter, Nutella, or fruit jam for sweet versions.
For convenience, assemble the tree up to 24 hours in advance (without egg wash), cover, and refrigerate. Brush with egg wash and bake when ready to serve.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for best crispiness; avoid the microwave.
Nutrition
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