Description

Delightfully festive and flavorful, these Puff Pastry Pesto Christmas Trees are easy-to-make savory snacks perfect for holiday gatherings. Flaky puff pastry combined with creamy basil pesto, optional cream cheese, and melty shredded cheese create a crunchy, cheesy appetizer that brings Italian flair to your Christmas table.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry and Spread

1 roll Puff Pastry
3-4 tbsp Basil Pesto
3-4 tbsp Cream Cheese (optional)

Topping

2 tbsp Shredded Cheese

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it is ready for baking the pastries evenly.
Roll Out Puff Pastry: Lay out the puff pastry sheet on a piece of parchment paper and roll it out gently to smooth any folds and prepare it for toppings.
Spread Cream Cheese and Pesto: Evenly spread the cream cheese across the puff pastry using a spoon or spatula for a creamy base, then layer the basil pesto on top for a rich, herbaceous flavor.
Add Shredded Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the pesto layer to add a melty, savory finish.
Cut into Strips: Use a knife or pastry cutter to cut the puff pastry into strips about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, which will form the tree shapes.
Shape the Trees: Fold and twist each strip to create a Christmas tree shape. Optionally, thread a skewer through each for structure and presentation.
Bake: Place the shaped pastry strips on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.

Notes

This recipe makes a crunchy, pesto-flavored snack perfect for the holidays.
You can omit the cream cheese for a lighter version or to keep it vegan.
Adding a skewer in the middle helps maintain the Christmas tree shape while baking.
Serve warm as an appetizer or festive snack at parties and gatherings.
Adjust the amount of pesto and cheese to your taste preferences.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 291 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 298 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 16 mg