Description
A festive Basil Pesto Cheesy Puff Pastry Christmas Tree made from layered puff pastry, pesto, and melted cheese, twisted into tree branches and baked until golden.
Ingredients
- Puff pastry sheets – 2
- Basil pesto – 1/2 cup
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded – 1 cup
- Egg (for egg wash) – 1
- Parmesan cheese, grated – 2 tbsp (optional)
- Cherry tomatoes or olives for decoration – optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lay one puff pastry sheet on the baking tray and spread basil pesto evenly over the surface.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pesto.
- Place the second puff pastry sheet on top, aligning the edges.
- Cut the layered pastry into the shape of a Christmas tree (triangle with a trunk), removing excess dough.
- Cut horizontal slits on both sides of the triangle to form branches, leaving the center intact.
- Twist each branch gently 1–2 times to create the tree effect.
- Brush the tree with beaten egg and sprinkle with parmesan if using.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- Optional: Decorate with cherry tomatoes or olives as ornaments and serve warm.
Notes
- You can replace basil pesto with sun-dried tomato pesto for variation.
- Use cold puff pastry to make cutting and shaping easier.
- Extra dough scraps can be twisted and baked as snack sticks.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American