Description
Delightful and festive Puff Pastry Pesto Christmas Trees made with flaky puff pastry, vibrant basil pesto, and savory Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make appetizer is perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring a golden, crispy texture and a beautiful tree shape that adds charm and flavor to your celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen
Filling
- 3-4 tablespoons basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Skewers (optional, for shaping the trees)
Instructions
- Thaw Pastry: If using frozen puff pastry, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about 30 minutes until it becomes pliable and easy to work with.
- Spread the Filling: On a clean, flat surface, unroll the puff pastry sheet and evenly spread a thin layer of basil pesto all over. Next, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese uniformly over the pesto to enhance the flavor.
- Cut the Pastry: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the pesto-covered puff pastry into 1-inch wide strips to prepare for shaping.
- Create Tree Shapes: For each strip, pierce one end with a skewer (optional). Fold the strip back and forth in a zigzag pattern resembling a Christmas tree. Secure the final end onto the skewer to keep the shape intact during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Add Egg Wash: Place the shaped pastry trees onto the lined baking sheet. Lightly brush each with beaten egg to achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish when baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the puff pastry turns golden brown and flaky.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the Christmas tree pastries to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with extra Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil to enhance flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a fresher taste, use homemade basil pesto.
- Skewers are optional but helpful to maintain the tree shape.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
- Variations can include adding sun-dried tomatoes or olives to the pesto layer for extra flavor.
- These pastries freeze well before baking; bake directly from frozen but increase baking time slightly.
