Easy & Festive Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Savory Red Pesto: Your Ultimate Holiday Appetizer

Imagine a savory, wonderfully creamy pesto bursting with rich cheese flavor, all elegantly enrobed in a light, flaky, and perfectly buttery puff pastry. This stunning Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with its vibrant homemade red pesto isn’t just a delicious snack; it’s a show-stopping centerpiece for your Christmas cocktail party, a delightful accompaniment to hearty soup, or an impressive starter for your holiday feast. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, promising a truly relaxed Christmas celebration.

As a food blogger, one of the perks is getting to perfect recipes well in advance of the holiday season, ensuring they are absolutely foolproof. This particular appetizer recipe is a prime example, destined to be a star at my own Christmas gathering. During a test run, my family enthusiastically requested a second portion, which is always the ultimate seal of approval. I’m confidently predicting this beautiful and delicious Christmas tree will be a huge WINNER in your home too, delighting everyone with its festive charm and irresistible taste.

I initially discovered the inspiration for this delightful Christmas tree recipe on Anja’s foodblog, a wonderful Dutch culinary site. It was part of a food blog swap where I was tasked with selecting a recipe from another blogger and infusing it with my unique culinary twist. After browsing through various enticing options, this creative puff pastry idea immediately caught my eye, and I knew it had the potential to become a truly special holiday treat with my signature red pesto filling.

Why This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is Your Go-To Easy Christmas Appetizer

When planning your holiday menu, simplicity, impressive presentation, and deliciousness are often at the top of the list. This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree checks all those boxes and more. Here’s why it’s the perfect choice for your festive celebrations:

• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: This recipe primarily calls for only 8 ingredients to create its magnificent taste. For those times when convenience is key, you can make it even simpler by substituting the first 6 pesto ingredients with a store-bought red tomato tapenade or a high-quality green pesto. This brilliant shortcut means you’ll only need a mere 3 ingredients to assemble and bake this showstopper – puff pastry, your chosen ready-made spread, and a little milk for brushing!
• Incredibly Quick Preparation: From start to oven to table, this fantastic appetizer can be completely prepared and ready to serve within half an hour. This speedy turnaround is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season, allowing you more time to enjoy your guests and less time stuck in the kitchen.
• Allergy-Friendly Options: This recipe is naturally made without yeast and egg (if you opt for a milk wash instead of egg yolk), making it suitable for guests with specific dietary preferences or allergies. Always double-check your puff pastry ingredients for full allergen information.
• Budget-Friendly Holiday Indulgence: Creating a memorable holiday spread doesn’t have to break the bank. With easily accessible and affordable ingredients, this puff pastry Christmas tree is a very budget-friendly recipe that delivers impressive results without a hefty cost.
• Stunning Visual Appeal: Let’s be honest, presentation matters, especially during the holidays. This puff pastry Christmas tree not only tastes divine but looks superb on any Christmas table. Its festive shape and golden-brown twists are sure to draw admiration, making it a perfect centerpiece for your Christmas cocktail party, family dinner, or any festive gathering.
• Excellent for Make-Ahead: Ease your holiday stress by preparing parts of this dish in advance. You can prepare the entire tree ahead of time, cover it loosely with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Alternatively, you can simply make the pesto a day or two in advance. Assembling the tree itself takes only a couple of minutes, ensuring freshness when baked.

Essential Ingredients for Your Fast & Festive Puff Pastry Christmas Tree!

Crafting this delightful Christmas puff pastry tree with its savory red pesto filling requires a handful of fresh and flavorful ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some tips for selecting the best components:

1. Sun-dried tomatoes: These are the star of our red pesto, providing a concentrated burst of sweet and tangy flavor. If you can find them, opt for semi-sun-dried tomatoes, as they tend to be softer and possess an even richer, more intense flavor profile. However, regular oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (drained) are also an excellent and widely available alternative.
2. Garlic, Thyme, Walnuts, and Olive Oil: These ingredients form the aromatic and textural backbone of your homemade pesto.
   • Garlic: A fresh clove of garlic adds a pungent, savory kick that brightens the entire pesto.
   • Thyme: Dried thyme infuses the pesto with an earthy, slightly floral note, perfectly complementing the tomatoes and cheese.
   • Walnuts: These nuts contribute a wonderful crunch and a mild, buttery flavor, enhancing the pesto’s texture and depth. They’re a classic choice for pesto, providing a fantastic alternative to pine nuts.
   • Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is crucial for achieving a smooth, emulsified pesto and carrying all the flavors beautifully. It also adds a luscious richness.
3. Parmesan cheese: For the ultimate authentic taste, reaching for genuine Parmigiano Reggiano is highly recommended. Its sharp, salty, and nutty notes are unparalleled. If authentic Parmesan isn’t available or preferred, a good quality aged hard cheese or even an old Dutch cheese can serve as a flavorful substitute, adding a similar umami depth.
4. Puff pastry roll: For ease and convenience, a pre-rolled sheet of puff pastry is the simplest option. It’s already flattened to a perfect thickness and ready to use. If you only have access to frozen puff pastry sheets, simply thaw them according to package instructions. You can then gently press the edges together to form a larger square if needed, and lightly roll them out to ensure an even thickness.
5. Milk: A light brush of milk before baking gives your puff pastry Christmas tree a beautiful, golden sheen and helps achieve that irresistible flaky crust. For an even more intense golden color and richness, you can alternatively use an egg yolk whisked with a tablespoon of water.

Crafting Your Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Homemade Red Pesto: Step-by-Step Guide

Making this eye-catching and delicious holiday appetizer is surprisingly simple. Follow these easy steps to create a stunning savory puff pastry Christmas tree filled with homemade red pesto. A complete, printable recipe card with precise measurements and timings can be found at the very bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Prepare the Red Pesto. Begin by gathering your sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil), fresh garlic clove, dried thyme, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese. Place all these ingredients into a blender or food processor. Add about 2 tablespoons of good quality olive oil. Pulse the mixture several times, scraping down the sides as needed, until you achieve a smooth, creamy, and wonderfully aromatic pesto. The consistency should be spreadable but not too runny.

Step 2: Shape and Layer the Puff Pastry. Unroll your puff pastry and carefully cut it into two identical square or rectangular sheets. With a sharp knife, gently cut out a Christmas tree shape from both sheets. Be precise to ensure they match up later. Place one of the puff pastry Christmas tree cutouts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Now, evenly smear a generous layer of your freshly made red pesto over the entire surface of this first puff pastry tree, leaving a small border to help seal the edges later.

Step 3: Assemble and Cut the Branches. Carefully place the second sheet of puff pastry, also cut into a Christmas tree shape, directly on top of the first one, pesto-side up. Gently press the edges to seal them together. Ensure the entire layered tree is on your parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make horizontal cuts on both sides of the tree, starting from the outside edge towards the center. These cuts will form your “Christmas tree branches.” It is crucial to not slice through the middle spine of the tree; leave a central strip of approximately 1 inch (2-3 cm) uncut, running from the top to the bottom of the trunk. This central strip will hold your tree together.

Step 4: Twist, Brush, and Bake. Now for the fun part that gives the tree its distinctive look! Take each “Christmas tree branch” that you’ve cut and gently roll it between two fingers, twisting it once or twice. This twisting motion will reveal the delicious layers of puff pastry and pesto, creating a beautiful, intricate pattern. Carefully place the twisted branch back down. Repeat this for all the branches on both sides of the tree. Once all branches are twisted, lightly brush the entire tree with milk (or an egg wash) to ensure a rich golden-brown finish. Finally, place the baking tray into your preheated oven at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden, and wonderfully flaky. Serve warm and enjoy your festive masterpiece!

Delicious Substitutes and Creative Flavor Variations for Your Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to get creative with your pesto filling and toppings to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas for delicious substitutes and exciting flavor variations:

• For the pesto, while red pesto is delightful, you can easily switch up the main ingredient. Consider using smoked red peppers (from a jar, drained) for a sweeter, smoky depth, fresh basil for a classic green pesto flavor, or blanched spinach for a milder, earthy alternative. Each will give a unique character to your Christmas tree.
• Parmesan cheese can be substituted with other hard, flavorful cheeses. As mentioned, a good quality Old cheese (like aged Gouda) works beautifully, offering a nutty, slightly sharper profile. Pecorino Romano is another excellent choice if you prefer a saltier, more pungent kick.
• Walnuts provide a great texture, but other nuts can be equally delicious. Try exchanging them for creamy cashew nuts for a smoother pesto, or classic pine nuts for a more traditional pesto taste. Almonds could also add a subtle sweetness.
• To achieve an even richer, deeper golden-brown crust, you can brush the puff pastry with an egg yolk whisked with a tablespoon of water instead of milk. This will give it a more pronounced shine and a slightly crispier finish.
• For an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful presentation, sprinkle some grated cheese on top of the puff pastry Christmas tree right before baking. A fine dusting of extra Parmesan, Gouda, or even a mix of shredded mozzarella and cheddar will melt into a delicious, bubbly topping.

Tips for a Perfect Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

• Puff Pastry Choice: Using a roll of puff pastry is typically easier than individual sheets, as it often means less sealing and a more uniform surface. However, sheets work perfectly fine; just ensure they are well-sealed if joined.
• Blender Alternatives: If you don’t have a full-sized blender or food processor, you can still make homemade pesto! An immersion blender (hand blender) can work well in a tall, narrow container. Alternatively, for a truly rustic touch, a traditional mortar and pestle will allow you to grind the ingredients, resulting in a pesto with a slightly coarser, yet charming texture.
• Precision in Cutting: When making the “Christmas branches,” remember to not cut through and through. The central 1-inch (2-3 cm) strip is vital for holding the tree’s shape. Think of it as the trunk that supports all the twisted branches.
• Achieving Golden Shine: Don’t skip the final step of brushing the Christmas tree with milk or an egg yolk wash. This step is key to achieving that appetizing golden-brown color and a lovely, delicate shine once baked.
• Leftover Pesto? No Problem!: If you happen to have leftover pesto, don’t let it go to waste! It’s delicious on its own. You can serve it with toast, a crusty baguette, crackers, or even toss it with pasta for a quick meal.
• Utilizing Leftover Puff Pastry: Any trimmed pieces of leftover puff pastry can be repurposed! They’re excellent for making quick treats like these delicious Cheese bread sticks, mini quiches, or even sweet pastry twists with cinnamon sugar.

Preparation and Storage Tips for Your Holiday Appetizer

Making your holiday preparations smoother is always a goal, and this puff pastry Christmas tree is excellent for preparing ahead. Here’s how to manage your time and ensure your appetizer is fresh and delicious when served:

• Prepare the Tree in Advance: You can assemble the entire Christmas tree (with the pesto filling and twisted branches) in the morning of your event. Simply place it on the baking sheet, cover it carefully with some plastic foil or cling wrap to prevent it from drying out, and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
• Pesto Longevity: The homemade red pesto can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ensuring the surface is covered with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent discoloration and keep it fresh. For longer storage, you can also freeze the pesto for up to 3 months in an airtight container or even in ice cube trays. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before use.
• Freezing Baked Appetizers: Yes, you can freeze these baked puff pastry appetizers! Once the tree is completely cooled after baking, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, place the frozen tree directly into a preheated oven at 420 degrees Fahrenheit (225 degrees Celsius) for a few minutes until it’s warmed through and crunchy again. Remember, you generally cannot freeze unbaked puff pastry that has been thawed, as it loses its flakiness upon a second thaw.

📖 Recipe: Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Red Pesto

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How to make a puff pastry Christmas tree with homemade pesto

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RECIPE CARD

Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Red Pesto

Andréa

This recipe features a savory yet creamy red pesto with an irresistible cheese flavor, all beautifully encased in flaky, buttery puff pastry. This festive puff pastry Christmas tree with homemade pesto is truly a versatile and delicious snack, perfect for your Christmas cocktail party, to serve alongside warming soup, or as an elegant starter. It’s truly easy to prepare, ensuring a stress-free and super relaxed Christmas for all.

5 of 10 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizers and Snacks

Cuisine Other

Servings 6 persons

Calories 467 kcal

Equipment

• A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Homemade red pesto

• ▢ 200 grams sun-dried tomatoes
• ▢ 1 clove garlic
• ▢ ½ tablespoon dried thyme, dried
• ▢ 50 grams walnuts
• ▢ 50 grams Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil

Savory puff pastry Christmas tree with red pesto

• ▢ 270 grams puff pastry, roll
• ▢ 2 tablespoons milk

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

Preparation

• ▢
  Chop the Parmesan coarse.
• ▢
  Line a baking plate with baking paper.
• ▢
  Preheat the oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius)

Red pesto

• ▢
  Put the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, thyme, walnuts and Parmesan cheese in a blender bowl.
• ▢
  Pulse shortly and add the olive oil.
• ▢
  Turn the blender on, and blend until you’ve got a smooth pesto.

Savory puff pastry Christmas tree with red pesto

• ▢
  Slice the puff pastry until you’ve got two squares.
• ▢
  With a knife cut out a Christmast tree for each sheet.
• ▢
  Put 1 sheet of puff pastry on the baking plate.
• ▢
  Smear the top with red pesto.
• ▢
  Top with the second puff pastry sheet.
• ▢
  Cut with a sharp knife horizontally “Christmas tree branches”. Make sure that in the middle of the tree there is an 1 inch cut-free zone.
• ▢
  Take a “Christmas tree branch” and turn it between two fingers. Put it down carefully and repeat for all the “branches”.
• ▢
  Brush the tree with milk.
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  Bake for 20 minutes in the oven, until it’s golden brown.
• ▢
  Serve!

Notes

• Use a roll of puff pastry instead of sheets for even easier preparation and a more uniform tree.
• If you don’t have a blender, an immersion blender or a traditional mortar and pestle can be used to prepare the pesto.
• Important: Do not cut the “Christmas branches” completely through. Ensure you leave a 1-inch (2-3 cm) uncut strip in the middle to maintain the tree’s structure.
• Brush the Christmas tree generously with milk or egg yolk before baking to achieve a beautiful, irresistible golden shine.
• Have leftover pesto? It’s wonderful served with simple toast or a fresh baguette!
• Any leftover puff pastry trimmings can be transformed into delicious Cheese bread sticks or other small pastry bites.

Nutrition

Calories: 467kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 12gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 330mgFiber: 5gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 384IUVitamin C: 14mgIron: 5mg

Keyword Christmas puff pastry tree, delicious Christmas appetizer, holiday snack, red pesto recipe

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