Introduction

The Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a festive and fun treat perfect for holiday gatherings. This versatile recipe can be made sweet or savory, making it a crowd-pleaser for every palate. Its beautiful twisted tree shape will impress your guests and brighten up your table.

A Christmas tree-shaped pastry with golden brown, flaky layers twisted to form branches is placed on white parchment paper on a wooden board with a handle. The pastry is dusted with white powdered sugar and decorated with whole and halved red cranberries scattered on and around it. The top of the tree features a star-shaped pastry dusted with powdered sugar. Small green herb sprigs are added for decoration. Around the board are festive items like a bowl of fresh cranberries, a pine cone, red and gold Christmas baubles, and a small bowl of dark red cranberry sauce, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
¼ to ⅓ cup sweet or savory spread (see notes)
1 large egg
Flaky salt for sprinkling (savory version only, optional)
Powdered sugar or parmesan cheese to finish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, unfold one sheet of puff pastry. Roll it into a 10×13-inch rectangle and carefully transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 3: Spread your desired filling evenly over the pastry, reaching all the edges.
Step 4: Roll the second puff pastry sheet into a 10×13-inch rectangle and place it on top of the filling, creating a sandwich of two pastry layers.
Step 5: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into a large triangle. Set aside the trimmed corners and, if you like, cut out a trunk shape at the bottom of the triangle and set aside those pieces as well.
Step 6: From the bottom of the triangle, make cuts every 1 inch on both sides of the center, leaving a 1-inch uncut strip down the middle for the trunk. Leave the top 3 inches uncut to avoid tiny pieces.
Step 7: Carefully twist each strip: twist the longer strips 3 times and the shorter ones near the top 1-2 times.
Step 8: Use a knife or cookie cutter to cut a star from the reserved scraps. Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash, then brush it on the star to stick it to the top of the tree. Brush the whole tree with the egg wash.
Step 9: Cut the remaining scraps into strips, twist them, and place on a separate baking sheet or the edges of the main sheet without touching the tree. Brush these strips with egg wash.
Step 10: If making the savory version, sprinkle flaky sea salt lightly over the tree and strips.
Step 11: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
Step 12: Let cool for 5-10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar for sweet or top with grated parmesan cheese for savory before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use Nutella, jam, or fruit preserves for a delicious sweet filling.
Try pesto, cream cheese mixed with herbs, or tapenade for savory options.
Ensure the puff pastry is well thawed but still cold to make it easier to roll and shape.
Use a sharp blade for clean cuts to keep the tree shape neat and tidy.
Add colorful sprinkles or edible glitter to the sweet version for extra holiday sparkle.

Storage

Store any leftover puff pastry tree in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day for best texture. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 3 days and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp it back up. Avoid microwaving as it may make the pastry soggy.

How to Serve

A golden-brown puff pastry shaped like a twisted Christmas tree with multiple twisted layers. The pastry is dusted with white powdered sugar, creating a light powdery cover. Bright red and dark red cranberries are scattered over the top, some whole and some sliced showing their inner texture, adding pops of color along the twists. Small green leaves are placed intermittently near the cranberries for contrast. A woman's hand is pulling one twisted tip from the lower right corner, showing the flaky and soft texture of the pastry layers. The pastry rests on white parchment paper over a wooden board, with a white marbled surface below. In the background, there are red and gold Christmas ornaments slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the tree and keep it covered in the refrigerator for a few hours before baking. Just brush with egg wash right before baking to get a nice golden finish.

What kind of spread works best for the filling?

Both sweet and savory spreads work well. Sweet options include Nutella, almond butter, or fruit jams. Savory fillings like pesto, cream cheese with herbs, or tapenade provide great flavor contrasts and pair wonderfully with the flaky pastry.