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Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
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These Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are a delightful and festive holiday treat that combines flaky, buttery puff pastry with customizable sweet or savory fillings. Perfect for parties and family gatherings, they offer an impressive visual appeal and delicious layered flavors. Easy to prepare and bake, they can be tailored to suit dietary preferences including gluten-free options, making them an ideal snack to share during the holiday season.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • Puff pastry sheets (standard or gluten-free) – quantity as needed (typically 2 sheets per batch)
  • Cheese or sweet filling – mozzarella, cream cheese, jam, Nutella, spinach and feta, or herb and cream cheese blend
  • Egg wash – 1 beaten egg
  • Herbs or sprinkles – fresh rosemary, colored sugar crystals
  • Optional toppings – sesame seeds, poppy seeds, crushed nuts

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Puff Pastry: Thaw puff pastry sheets according to package instructions, usually about 30 minutes at room temperature. Once soft but still chilled, lightly flour your work surface and roll the pastry into a smooth rectangle, approximately 10×12 inches for easier shaping.
  2. Adding Your Filling: Spread your chosen filling evenly over one puff pastry sheet, leaving a small border around the edges to seal later. Avoid adding too much filling to prevent leakage during baking.
  3. Layering and Cutting: Place the second sheet of puff pastry over the filled layer, pressing gently to seal. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the layered pastry into a large triangle resembling a Christmas tree shape. Then cut horizontal strips from both sides of the triangle, leaving the center intact to serve as the trunk.
  4. Twisting the Branches: Carefully twist each horizontal strip away from the center trunk to create the look of tree branches. This twisting allows the layers to puff up during baking, adding texture and visual appeal.
  5. Egg Wash and Decorations: Brush the entire pastry tree generously with egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden finish when baked. Sprinkle herbs, colored sugars, seeds, or nuts as desired to decorate and add flavor.
  6. Baking: Place the shaped pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Keep puff pastry chilled and work quickly to maintain flakiness.
  • Distribute filling evenly but sparingly to avoid sogginess and filling leakage.
  • Use a very sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean, precise cuts.
  • Apply egg wash just before baking to prevent sogginess.
  • Decorate with herbs or sprinkles before baking for better adhesion and vibrant appearance.
  • Can be made ahead: assemble and twist, then freeze before baking; bake directly from frozen with a few extra minutes added to cooking time.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
  • Reheat leftovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-8 minutes to restore crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: puff pastry, Christmas trees, holiday appetizers, festive snacks, savory pastry, sweet pastry, gluten free, easy holiday recipe

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/puff-pastry-christmas-trees/