Flaky & Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Homemade Red Pesto: Your Easy Holiday Appetizer!
Imagine a delightful **savory** and **creamy** pesto, bursting with rich **cheese flavor**, all encased in layers of wonderfully **flaky**, **buttery puff pastry**. This isn’t just any snack; it’s a visually stunning **Puff Pastry Christmas Tree** with homemade red pesto, designed to be the star of your holiday season. It makes a perfect **snack** for your Christmas **cocktail party**, an impressive accompaniment to **soup**, or a charming **starter** for any festive meal. Best of all? It’s remarkably **easy** to prepare, promising a super **relaxed Christmas** for everyone.
One of the true joys of being a food blogger is the opportunity to perfect recipes well in advance of the holidays. This ensures that by the time festive gatherings roll around, I have a collection of foolproof dishes ready to impress. This particular appetizer recipe is a testament to that process, and one I plan to proudly serve for Christmas this year. During an early tasting, my family eagerly asked for a **second portion**, a clear sign that this delicious creation is destined to be a definite **WINNER** in our home.
I initially discovered the inspiration for this charming Christmas tree recipe on Anja’s foodblog, a wonderful Dutch food blog. It was assigned to me during a “foodblogswap,” a fun challenge where I get to choose a recipe from another blogger and infuse it with my own unique twist. After browsing through many tempting options, this puff pastry Christmas tree immediately captured my imagination, proving to be the perfect canvas for a festive and flavorful adaptation.
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Why This Easy Christmas Appetizer is a Must-Try!
When it comes to holiday entertaining, you want dishes that are both impressive and stress-free. This savory puff pastry Christmas tree ticks all the boxes, making it an ideal choice for any festive occasion. Here’s why you’ll love adding this recipe to your holiday repertoire:
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: This recipe calls for just 8 core ingredients. But for those extra busy days, you can make it even simpler by substituting the first six ingredients with store-bought red tomato tapenade or a good quality green pesto. This shortcut means you’ll only need a mere 3 ingredients to create this showstopper! It’s the ultimate hack for delicious results without the fuss.
- Quick & Convenient: Hosting during the holidays can be hectic, but this appetizer comes to your rescue. From start to finish, this magnificent snack can be ready to serve in under half an hour. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests and the festive atmosphere.
- Dietary-Friendly & Accessible: Crafted **without yeast and egg**, this recipe is suitable for a wider range of dietary preferences and is less likely to trigger common allergies. It also simplifies the baking process, removing the need for yeast activation or egg washes if you prefer a milk brush.
- Budget-Friendly Delight: Impressing your guests doesn’t have to break the bank. With readily available and affordable ingredients, this puff pastry Christmas tree is a very budget-friendly recipe. Making your own pesto from scratch further reduces costs while significantly boosting the flavor.
- Visually Stunning Presentation: Let’s be honest, food that looks good tastes even better! This puff pastry Christmas tree **looks superb** on any Christmas table, adding a festive and elegant touch to your cocktail party, holiday brunch, or even a casual gathering. Its unique shape is a conversation starter and a feast for the eyes.
- Excellent for Make-Ahead Preparation: Planning ahead is key for a relaxed holiday. You have options with this recipe: either prepare the entire tree in advance, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake, or simply make the pesto a day or two ahead. Assembling the tree itself takes only a couple of minutes, giving you flexibility on the day of your event.
Essential Ingredients for Your Fast Christmas Snack!
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable Christmas puff pastry tree. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for selection:
- Sundried Tomatoes: These are the star of our red pesto, providing a concentrated sweet and savory flavor. If you can find them, **semi-sundried tomatoes** packed in oil are excellent as they tend to be softer and even more flavorful. However, traditional oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes work perfectly and are a great alternative.
- Garlic, Thyme, Walnuts, and Olive Oil: These ingredients are crucial for building the complex and aromatic profile of your homemade pesto. Fresh **garlic** adds a pungent kick, while dried **thyme** brings an earthy, savory note. **Walnuts** contribute a nutty richness and help create a creamy texture. High-quality **olive oil** emulsifies the pesto, binding all the flavors together and adding a fruity, smooth finish.
- Parmesan Cheese: For the ultimate authentic taste, reaching for the **real deal Parmesan cheese** (Parmigiano-Reggiano) is highly recommended. Its sharp, salty, and umami notes elevate the pesto significantly. If authentic Parmesan isn’t available, you can also opt for another hard, aged cheese like a good quality old Gouda or Pecorino Romano for a similar savory depth.
- Puff Pastry Roll: The easiest and most convenient option is to use **puff pastry on a roll**, which is typically pre-rolled into a rectangular sheet. This saves time and effort. If only sheets are available, simply arrange them to form a square (you might need to overlap and gently press the edges together to seal) and then lightly roll with a rolling pin to ensure an even thickness.
- Milk: A light brush of **milk** before baking gives your Christmas tree a beautiful golden sheen and helps it brown nicely. For an even richer, glossier finish, you can also use an egg yolk whisked with 1 tablespoon of water – this creates an egg wash that delivers a deeper golden color and a more pronounced shine.
Crafting Your Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Homemade Red Pesto: Step-by-Step
Get ready to create a festive masterpiece with these straightforward steps. A detailed, printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this blog post for your convenience.
Step 1: Prepare the Red Pesto. Begin by roughly chopping your Parmesan cheese if it’s not already grated. Then, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, dried thyme, Parmesan cheese, and garlic in a blender or food processor. Pulse the mixture a few times until the ingredients are coarsely combined. Now, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Continue to pulse and blend until you achieve a smooth, rich, and creamy pesto consistency. Set aside this vibrant red pesto, which is the heart of our Christmas tree.
Step 2: Shape the Puff Pastry and Apply Pesto. Unroll your puff pastry and carefully cut it into two identical square or rectangular sheets, depending on the shape of your pastry roll. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut out a Christmas tree shape from **both sheets** of puff pastry. Precision isn’t paramount here; the charm is in the handmade look. Once shaped, place one of the puff pastry Christmas trees onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Evenly **smear** the entire surface of this bottom layer with your homemade **red pesto**, leaving a small border around the edges.
Step 3: Layer and Create the Branches. Gently place the **second puff pastry Christmas tree sheet** directly **on top of the pesto-smeared first one**, aligning the edges as closely as possible. Lightly press down to ensure the layers adhere. Now, using your sharp knife, begin to **cut** horizontal “Christmas tree branches” on both sides of the tree. The crucial step here is to make sure you **do not slice through the middle spine** of the tree. Leave approximately a 1-inch (2.5 cm) uncut strip down the center of the tree – this forms the trunk and holds your tree together.
Step 4: Twist, Brush, and Bake. Now for the fun part that gives the tree its distinctive look! Carefully take each “Christmas tree branch” and **roll** or **twist** it gently between two fingers. This action exposes the delicious pesto layers and creates a beautiful, twisted pattern. Repeat this for all the branches. Once all branches are twisted, **brush** the entire surface of the tree evenly **with milk** (or egg wash for extra shine). 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 puff pastry is gorgeously golden brown and wonderfully flaky.
Substitutions and Flavor Variations to Explore
This recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for many delicious variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- For the **pesto**, while the sun-dried tomato pesto is fantastic, you can easily switch up the flavor profile. Try replacing the sun-dried tomatoes with **smoked red peppers** for a deeper, smoky taste, fresh **basil** for a classic Italian green pesto, or even blanched **spinach** for a milder, earthy version. Each will give your Christmas tree a unique character.
- **Parmesan cheese** is ideal, but if you’re looking for an alternative, an **old cheese** like aged Gouda or a sharp cheddar can offer a similar salty and tangy depth. These cheeses melt beautifully and add a rich flavor.
- Instead of **walnuts**, you can use other nuts like creamy **cashew nuts** for a slightly sweeter pesto, or aromatic **pine nuts** for a more traditional pesto flavor. Toasting the nuts lightly before blending can enhance their flavor significantly.
- To achieve a gorgeous golden color and a more pronounced shine, you can **brush the puff pastry with egg yolk** whisked with a little water instead of milk. This egg wash creates a richer, more vibrant finish.
- For an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful visual effect, **sprinkle some grated cheese on top** of the puff pastry Christmas tree before baking. A little extra Parmesan or a mix of Italian cheeses will crisp up deliciously.
Tips for Perfecting Your Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Here are some additional tips and tricks to ensure your puff pastry Christmas tree turns out perfectly every time, along with ideas for using up any leftovers:
- To make the recipe even **easier** and save time, opt for a **roll of puff pastry** rather than individual sheets. This eliminates the need to join smaller pieces, resulting in a seamless base.
- If you **don’t have a blender** or food processor for the pesto, don’t worry! You can use an **immersion blender** (also known as a hand blender) in a deep bowl, or go old-school with a **mortar and pestle** for a rustic, textured pesto.
- When cutting the “Christmas branches,” it’s crucial **not to cut through the central trunk** of the tree. Ensure you leave a **1-inch uncut middle** section to maintain the tree’s structural integrity and shape during twisting and baking.
- Remember to **brush the Christmas tree with milk** or egg yolk before baking. This step is key **to let it shine** and achieve that appealing golden-brown, crispy exterior.
- Do you have **leftover pesto**? Don’t let it go to waste! It’s fantastic served simply **with toast**, crackers, or slices of a fresh baguette as an extra appetizer or snack. It also makes a great addition to pasta or sandwiches.
- If you have **leftover puff pastry** scraps, get creative! You can use them to make delicious Cheese bread sticks, mini quiches, or even small sweet treats by adding cinnamon sugar.
Preparation and Storage Tips
Efficient preparation and smart storage are key to enjoying your holiday season. This puff pastry Christmas tree is surprisingly flexible when it comes to making ahead and storing:
- This beautiful Christmas tree **can be assembled in the morning** of your event. Simply cover it with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it off just before serving.
- The homemade **pesto is wonderfully versatile for advance preparation**. You can make the pesto up to **2 days in advance** and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can even **freeze it for up to 3 months** in an airtight container or ice cube trays. Thaw it in the refrigerator before using.
- You can also **freeze these puff pastry appetizers after baking**. Once cooled, wrap the baked tree airtight in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. This way, you can **store it for up to 2 months**. To reheat, simply place the frozen tree in 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** as the delicate layers can be damaged by ice crystals, affecting its flakiness when baked.
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Did you make this delicious and festive recipe? We’d love to see your creation! **Tag #byandreajanssen on Instagram!** I absolutely adore seeing what you whip up in your kitchens and frequently share the most beautiful photos from my followers. **Enjoyed this recipe?** Then please do me a huge favor and leave a **rating** on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback helps other home cooks find and enjoy this recipe, and it means the world to me.
Need more culinary inspiration?
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📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
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.
Instructions
Preparation
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Chop the Parmesan cheese coarsely if using a block, or ensure it’s grated.
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Line a large baking plate or sheet with baking paper (parchment paper) to prevent sticking.
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Preheat your oven to **390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius)**, or 360°F (180°C) for a convection oven.
Red Pesto
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Place the sun-dried tomatoes, peeled garlic clove, dried thyme, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese into a blender or food processor bowl.
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Pulse the mixture a few times to start breaking down the ingredients, then add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
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Continue to blend, scraping down the sides as needed, until you’ve got a smooth, creamy, and well-combined pesto.
Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Red Pesto
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Unroll your puff pastry and, if necessary, slice it to create two relatively equal squares or rectangular sheets.
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Using a sharp knife, carefully cut out a Christmas tree shape from each puff pastry sheet. You can use a template or freehand it.
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Carefully transfer one of the puff pastry Christmas tree cutouts onto your prepared baking plate.
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Evenly spread a generous layer of the homemade red pesto over the entire surface of this bottom puff pastry sheet, leaving a small border for sealing.
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Gently place the second puff pastry Christmas tree sheet directly on top of the pesto-covered layer, carefully aligning the edges to form a neat tree shape.
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With a sharp knife, cut horizontal “Christmas tree branches” into both sides of the tree. **Crucially, ensure that you leave an approximately 1-inch cut-free zone down the very middle of the tree to form the trunk.**
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Carefully take each “Christmas tree branch” and gently twist it between two fingers, giving it a spiral effect. Lay it back down carefully and repeat this twisting motion for all the branches.
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Lightly brush the entire surface of the twisted tree with milk (or your preferred egg wash) to encourage a golden-brown finish.
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Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately **20 minutes**, or until the puff pastry is beautifully puffed, flaky, and golden brown.
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Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and **serve** this festive and delicious appetizer while warm!
Notes
- Using a **roll of puff pastry** instead of individual sheets can simplify the process, making the recipe even **easier** to prepare.
- If you **don’t have a blender**, you can still make the pesto! An **immersion blender** (hand blender) in a deep bowl, or a traditional **mortar and pestle** will also work, though the texture might be slightly coarser.
- When cutting the “Christmas branches,” ensure you **don’t cut through the entire width**. Leave an approximately **1-inch cut-free middle** to maintain the tree shape during twisting and baking.
- For a beautiful golden sheen, remember to **brush** the Christmas tree **with milk** or an egg yolk wash before placing it in the oven. This helps it **shine** and brown evenly.
- Have **leftover pesto**? It’s delicious! You can **serve** it with extra **toast**, crackers, or a fresh baguette. It also makes a fantastic addition to pasta or spread in sandwiches.
- Don’t waste any **leftover puff pastry** scraps. They can be used to create other delicious snacks, like these savory Cheese bread sticks.
Nutrition
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