If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and surprisingly easy appetizer to wow your holiday guests, then you’re going to love this Christmas Puff Pastry Trees Recipe. I absolutely love how these puff pastry trees come out flaky, cheesy, and perfectly golden, plus they add that extra special holiday charm to any party spread. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be reaching for this recipe every Christmas season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & Fun Presentation: The tree shapes make these bites perfect for Christmas parties and family gatherings.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses easily found items like puff pastry, ham, and cheese for a stress-free prep.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Melty cheese and buttery, flaky pastry mean your guests will keep coming back for more.
- Quick to Make: From start to finish, you’ll have these festive trees ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic really happens by layering the simple ingredients and letting the puff pastry do its buttery, flaky thing. Keep your puff pastry chilled until just before use to help it puff up nicely. I always pick a good quality deli ham for that perfect salty bite and go for pepper jack to add a bit of peppery creaminess.
- Puff Pastry Sheets: Thawed but still cold; this helps with flaky layers and easier handling.
- Ham Slices: Thinly sliced for even layering and a nice salty flavor.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: Adds creaminess and a little kick, balancing nicely with the ham.
- Butter: Melted, to brush the baked trees for a golden shine and flavor boost.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped finely for a bright, fresh herbaceous touch.
- Onion Powder & Garlic Salt: These spices add a cozy, savory dimension.
- Cheddar Cheese: Used for cutting star shapes to make the perfect edible tree toppers.
Variations
I love how this recipe is a perfect starting point—you can easily swap in your favorite cheeses or meats to make these Christmas puff pastry trees truly your own. Feel free to get creative with different seasonings or dips on the side!
- Meat-Free Version: I’ve tried swapping ham for sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions, and it works beautifully for vegetarians.
- Cheese Variations: Using mozzarella or gouda instead of pepper jack creates a milder flavor perfect for picky eaters.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or a smear of mustard on the pastry before layering ups the flavor complexity.
- Herb Twists: Fresh thyme or rosemary in the butter brush adds an earthy holiday touch.
How to Make Christmas Puff Pastry Trees Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this ensures your trees won’t stick and cleanup is a breeze. Then, roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a clean, lightly floured surface, making it a little bigger if you like to fit the layers comfortably. I find this step makes handling the pastry easier and ensures the layers bake up nice and flaky.
Step 2: Layer the Ham and Cheese
Next, evenly layer the sliced ham across the puff pastry sheet. I like to cover as much as possible with thin slices to get full flavor in every bite. Then layer the pepper jack cheese on top. When I first tried this recipe, I didn’t layer evenly and some bites were cheese-heavy while others lacked flavor—so even layering is key!
Step 3: Top with Second Puff Pastry Sheet
Carefully place the second sheet of puff pastry over the ham and cheese layers. Press gently to seal without squishing out those delicious layers. This sandwich of puff pastry, ham, and cheese is the heart of your Christmas puff pastry trees.
Step 4: Slice and Shape the Trees
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the layered pastry into 8 equal strips, about 1 inch wide. Now for the fun part: accordion-fold each strip starting wide at the bottom and tapering toward the top so it resembles a little tree. To keep the shape in place, insert a skewer through the center, leaving extra room at the top for the star topper. This shaping step is where your festive trees really come to life!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your shaped trees on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is puffed up and wonderfully golden. You’ll notice a crispy edge and satisfyingly flaky layers—that’s how you’ll know it’s ready.
Step 6: Butter, Season, and Add Cheddar Stars
While the trees cool just slightly, mix melted butter with fresh parsley, onion powder, and garlic salt. Brush this flavorful mixture over the warm trees—this is the secret that takes them from good to irresistible. Then, cut little stars out of cheddar cheese with a small cookie cutter and place them atop the skewers as your edible star toppers. It’s such a cute touch that makes these truly holiday-worthy.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Puff Pastry Trees Recipe
- Keep Puff Pastry Cold: Handling puff pastry while it’s cold helps keep layers defined and flaky.
- Uniform Strips: Slice strips evenly so your trees look consistent and bake evenly.
- Butter Brush Secret: Don’t skip brushing with the seasoned butter right after baking for maximum flavor.
- Use Skewers Carefully: Insert skewers gently to avoid piercing through the base and losing shape.
How to Serve Christmas Puff Pastry Trees Recipe
Garnishes
I like to garnish these puff pastry trees with a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley or finely chopped chives for a little greenery. Sometimes, I add a dusting of smoked paprika for color and a subtle smoky note that plays beautifully with the ham and cheese.
Side Dishes
These tasty trees pair wonderfully with a crisp winter salad or a warm bowl of tomato soup for dipping. At parties, I like setting out some tangy mustard or cranberry sauce to complement the rich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, arrange your Christmas puff pastry trees recipe on a platter lined with pine sprigs or holly berries (real or faux) to amp up that festive vibe. Or serve each tree upright in a small glass or vase filled with coarse salt or sugar to hold it steady—it makes a beautiful interactive display!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover puff pastry trees keep well covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I always recommend reheating them in the oven to bring back that crispiness instead of the microwave, which can make them soggy.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time for a holiday party, you can freeze the shaped but unbaked trees on the baking sheet first, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed for fresh-from-the-oven results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers on a baking sheet in a 350℉ oven for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. This method revives the flakiness much better than a microwave, which I’ve found tends to flatten out the pastry.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought puff pastry or should I make my own?
Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly for this recipe, especially if you’re short on time. It comes frozen and ready to thaw, making your Christmas puff pastry trees recipe foolproof. Making puff pastry from scratch can be rewarding but is quite time-consuming, so I recommend store-bought for convenience.
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Can I prepare the trees in advance and bake just before serving?
Yes! You can assemble and shape the trees a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Just add the butter glaze and bake right before serving to maintain that fresh, flaky texture.
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What if I don’t have a star-shaped cookie cutter?
No worries—small star cutters are common, but if you don’t have one, you can use a small knife to carefully cut star shapes freehand from cheddar slices or simply top the trees with a small piece of bell pepper or cherry tomato for a colorful topper.
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Can I make these gluten-free?
Traditional puff pastry contains gluten, so for gluten-free Christmas puff pastry trees, look for gluten-free puff pastry brands or recipes and adjust cheeses and fillings as preferred. Results will vary slightly but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Christmas puff pastry trees recipe has become a staple in my holiday entertaining because it’s simultaneously impressive and easy. I love serving these as finger food that feels festive without fuss. You’re going to enjoy making them nearly as much as eating them—they bring everyone together in the kitchen and at the party table. Give them a try this season and watch your family and guests smile when these golden, cheesy trees come out of the oven!
Print
Christmas Puff Pastry Trees Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are a festive and savory appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of ham and pepper jack cheese are sandwiched between flaky puff pastry sheets, then shaped into charming tree forms, baked to golden perfection, and topped with cheddar cheese stars. The trees are brushed with a flavorful butter and herb mixture, making them irresistible and visually appealing treats to serve warm.
Ingredients
Pastry and Filling
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 6 slices ham, thinly sliced
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese
Butter Glaze
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Topping
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, for star toppers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Assemble the pastry layers: Roll out one sheet of puff pastry evenly on a flat surface. Layer the thinly sliced ham and pepper jack cheese evenly over the pastry. Carefully place the second puff pastry sheet on top, creating a puff pastry sandwich with filling inside.
- Slice into strips: Using a pizza slicer or a sharp knife, cut the layered pastry into 8 equal strips, about 1 inch wide each, to prepare for shaping the trees.
- Shape the trees: Take each strip and accordion-fold it into a tree shape by starting wide at the bottom and tapering to the top. Insert a skewer through the center of each folded strip to hold the tree shape, making sure to leave some space at the top for the cheese star topper. Place the shaped trees on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the trees: Bake the puff pastry trees in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
- Prepare the butter glaze: While the trees bake, mix the melted butter, fresh parsley, onion powder, and garlic salt in a small bowl to create a flavorful glaze.
- Glaze and cool slightly: After baking, brush the butter mixture over the warm puff pastry trees to add flavor and shine. Allow the trees to cool slightly on the baking sheet.
- Cut cheddar stars and garnish: Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the cheddar cheese into stars. Place a cheese star on the top of each skewer, completing the festive look. Serve the trees warm.
Notes
- You can substitute pepper jack cheese with any cheese of your choice that melts well, such as mozzarella or cheddar.
- Make sure the puff pastry is well thawed before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Use parchment paper to avoid the puff pastry sticking to the pan.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and add extra cheese or veggies inside the pastry.
- These appetizers are best enjoyed warm but can be reheated gently in the oven if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
