The holiday season is filled with so much joy, laughter, and of course, amazing food. But let’s be honest, hosting can get a little hectic. You want to create a beautiful spread without spending all day in the kitchen. What if I told you there’s a recipe that looks like it came from a fancy bakery but only takes a few minutes of active prep time? Sounds good, right?
Well, you are in for a treat. This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is one of my favorite Christmas Party Appetizers to make. It’s a showstopper that tastes as good as it looks. The flaky pastry combined with savory pesto is just delightful, and the pull apart style makes it so fun for guests to eat. It’s one of those great Christmas Party Food Ideas that works for everyone.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this appetizer is incredibly easy. We use store bought puff pastry, which is a wonderful shortcut. It saves you a ton of time and effort while still delivering that buttery, flaky texture everyone loves. It is one of the best Holiday Appetizers Easy recipes you will find.
It is also a true centerpiece for your food table. The festive tree shape instantly brings holiday cheer. Your guests will think you spent hours creating such a detailed treat. It is so rewarding to see their faces when you bring it out.
The flavor is fantastic. The rich, herby taste of basil pesto pairs beautifully with the buttery puff pastry. It is a simple combination that feels special. Plus, it is a pull apart snack, which makes it interactive and casual. No need for forks or plates, just grab a branch and enjoy!
And here is the best part: it is completely customizable. You can switch up the fillings to match your taste or whatever you have on hand. It’s one of those flexible Christmas Appetizers Recipes that you can make your own.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to bring these festive Christmas Party Appetizers to life. It’s all about simple things coming together to create something special.
- 1 package (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry, which usually has two sheets, thawed
- 4 to 6 tablespoons of fresh basil pesto or your favorite store bought version
- 1 egg, beaten with a splash of milk to create an egg wash
- Sesame seeds for decoration, this is optional but adds a nice touch
Step By Step Instructions
Making this beautiful appetizer is so much simpler than it looks. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious, festive treat ready in no time. Let’s get started on one of my favorite Christmas Appetizers.
Step 1: Get The Oven And Pan Ready
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. While it’s heating up, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is important because it prevents the pastry from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Assemble The Pastry Sheets
Carefully unfold one sheet of your thawed puff pastry onto the parchment paper. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the pesto sauce evenly all over the surface. Go as close to the edges as you can.
Now, unfold the second sheet of puff pastry and place it directly on top of the pesto covered sheet. Gently press down to seal the two sheets together. Think of it like making a big, flaky sandwich.
Step 3: Cut Out The Tree Shape
This is the fun part. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut out a large triangle shape to form the Christmas tree. Don’t throw away the extra pieces of pastry from the sides! We will use those later.
You can also cut out a small rectangle for the tree trunk at the bottom and a little star for the top from the leftover scraps if you are feeling extra creative. Some of the best Christmas Party Food Ideas involve simple shapes.
Step 4: Create The Branches
With your tree shape ready, it’s time to make the branches. Cut slits into both sides of the triangle, about half an inch to an inch apart. Be sure to leave the center vertical trunk of the tree intact.
Now, gently take each strip and twist it a couple of times. Press the ends down lightly onto the baking sheet to help them hold their shape. This twisting motion is what gives the tree its beautiful, branch like appearance.
Step 5: Use The Leftover Pastry
Remember those leftover pieces of pastry? Let’s not waste them. You can cut them into smaller strips and twist them too. Or use small cookie cutters to make festive shapes like stars or snowflakes. Place these on a separate baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Brush the entire pastry tree and the extra pieces with your egg wash. This will give it a beautiful golden brown color and a lovely shine. If you’re using them, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the top for extra texture.
Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and a deep golden brown. The whole kitchen will smell amazing.
Once it’s done, let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. It is delicious served warm as a pull apart appetizer. This is truly one of the most rewarding Christmas Appetizers Recipes.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is rare, storing them is easy. Wait for the pastry to cool down completely to room temperature. This helps prevent it from getting soggy.
Place the leftovers in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you are ready to eat them again, I recommend reheating in the oven or an air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes. This will help make the pastry flaky again. The microwave will make it soft, so I’d avoid that.
Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make your Christmas Party Appetizers experience even better. These little tricks can make a big difference.
- Keep The Pastry Cold: Puff pastry is easiest to work with when it is cold. If it gets too warm, it can become sticky. If you notice this happening, just pop it back in the fridge for about 15 minutes to firm up.
- Filling Variations: Feel free to get creative with the filling. You could use a sun dried tomato pesto, an olive tapenade, or a mix of shredded cheese and herbs. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top before baking is also a great idea.
- Serving Suggestion: This tree is great on its own, but it is also fantastic with a dipping sauce. A side of warm marinara sauce or a creamy ranch dip works really well.
- Make A Sweet Version: You can even turn this into a dessert. Try using a filling like Nutella, cinnamon sugar with butter, or a fruit jam. Just skip the sesame seeds on top. This is a fun twist on Christmas Party Food Ideas.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A stunning, delicious, and surprisingly simple appetizer that is sure to be the star of your holiday party. This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree proves that you do not need complicated Christmas Appetizers Recipes to impress your guests.
It is all about having fun in the kitchen and creating memories with loved ones. I hope this recipe brings a little extra joy to your celebration. Give it a try, and I promise you will be adding it to your list of go to Christmas Party Appetizers for years to come.
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can. You can assemble the entire tree, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When you are ready, just brush it with the egg wash and bake as directed. This makes it a great option for Holiday Appetizers Easy planning.
What Kind Of Pesto Should I Use?
You can use either store bought or homemade pesto. A good quality jarred pesto works wonderfully and saves time. If you have fresh basil, making your own is also a great choice. Both will be delicious.
Can I Use Homemade Puff Pastry?
Absolutely. If you are skilled at making your own puff pastry, it would be fantastic in this recipe. However, the beauty of this appetizer is its simplicity, and store bought puff pastry is a convenient and reliable option that still yields great results.
What Can I Do With The Pastry Scraps?
The pastry scraps are like a little bonus. As mentioned in the instructions, you can cut them into strips and twist them too. Or use small cookie cutters for other shapes. Bake them alongside your tree for an extra little snack.
Is This Recipe Kid Friendly?
Yes, it is very kid friendly. Kids love the pull apart nature of this tree. They can also help with spreading the pesto and twisting the branches, making it a fun kitchen activity for the whole family. It is one of the most engaging Christmas Appetizers for all ages.
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
The holiday season is filled with so much joy, laughter, and amazing food. This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a showstopper that tastes as good as it looks. The flaky pastry combined with savory pesto is just delightful, and the pull-apart style makes it so fun for guests to eat, making it a wonderful and easy Christmas Party Appetizer.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry onto the parchment paper. Spread the pesto sauce evenly all over the surface, going close to the edges. Place the second sheet of puff pastry directly on top and gently press down to seal.
- Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut out a large triangle shape for the Christmas tree. You can also cut a small rectangle for the tree trunk and a little star from the leftover scraps.
- Cut slits into both sides of the triangle, about half an inch to an inch apart, leaving the center vertical trunk intact. Gently twist each strip a couple of times and press the ends down lightly onto the baking sheet.
- Cut leftover pastry pieces into smaller strips and twist them, or use small cookie cutters to make festive shapes. Place these on a separate baking sheet.
- Brush the entire pastry tree and the extra pieces with your egg wash. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top if using.
- Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving warm as a pull-apart appetizer.
Notes
Keep The Pastry Cold: Puff pastry is easiest to work with when cold. If it gets sticky, refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Filling Variations: Experiment with sun-dried tomato pesto, olive tapenade, or shredded cheese and herbs. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top before baking is also a great idea.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side of warm marinara sauce or a creamy ranch dip.
Make A Sweet Version: Use Nutella, cinnamon sugar with butter, or fruit jam as a filling, skipping the sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
