Description
This Savoury Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with flaky puff pastry, creamy Boursin cheese, savory prosciutto, and sharp cheddar cheese, it is beautifully decorated with seeds and an egg wash glaze for a golden finish. Easy to prepare and impressive to serve, this recipe combines rich flavors and a fun presentation that will delight guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry (500g total)
Fillings
- 100 g Boursin cheese or herbed cream cheese
- 150 g prosciutto or salami or capocollo
- 50 g shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare tray: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking during baking.
- Assemble the base layer: Lay out one sheet of puff pastry and evenly spread the Boursin cheese or herbed cream cheese over it, creating a flavorful base.
- Add the meat layer: Place the prosciutto, salami, or capocollo evenly over the cheese spread to add a savory depth to the filling.
- Top with shredded cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the meat layer for melty richness.
- Cover with second pastry sheet: Gently place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the layered fillings and press lightly to seal the edges.
- Shape the tree: Using a sharp knife, cut the layered pastry into a large triangle shape. Cut extra dough pieces to form the trunk at the bottom or create additional festive shapes with cookie cutters.
- Cut slits on sides: Starting from the base of the triangle, cut slits along each side about every 3 cm, leaving the center intact to maintain structure.
- Twist the strips: Carefully twist each side strip gently to expose layers and fillings, but avoid over-twisting to prevent filling from oozing out.
- Apply egg wash and seeds: Brush the entire puff pastry tree with the egg wash to ensure a glossy golden finish, then sprinkle mixed seeds on top for texture and a nutty flavor.
- Bake: Place the prepared pastry tree on the baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown color and is cooked through.
Notes
- Make sure to use cold puff pastry sheets to make handling and cutting easier.
- You can substitute the meat with your favorite deli meats or make it vegetarian by omitting the meat layer.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture; leftovers can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes.
- Be gentle when twisting the dough strips to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
- Mixed seeds such as sesame, poppy, or sunflower add a nice crunch and decorative touch, but you can omit them if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
