Description
Delight your guests with these festive Puff Pastry Pesto Christmas Trees, a crunchy and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of flaky puff pastry are spread with creamy cream cheese and vibrant basil pesto, then sprinkled with shredded cheese and baked to golden perfection. These charming tree-shaped snacks bring a touch of Italian flair and holiday cheer to any party.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry Base
- 1 roll Puff Pastry
Spreads and Toppings
- 3-4 tbsp Basil Pesto
- 3-4 tbsp Cream Cheese (optional)
- 2 tbsp Shredded Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature for the puff pastry.
- Roll Out Puff Pastry: Spread the puff pastry sheet on a baking tray lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Spread Cream Cheese: Evenly spread the cream cheese over the puff pastry using a spoon or spatula, creating a smooth base layer for the pesto.
- Apply Basil Pesto: Spoon the basil pesto evenly on top of the cream cheese, adding fresh herbal flavor to the snack.
- Sprinkle Shredded Cheese: Scatter the shredded cheese over the pesto for extra richness and a gooey finish once baked.
- Cut into Strips: Using a knife or a pizza wheel cutter, slice the puff pastry into strips about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide to prepare them for shaping.
- Shape Christmas Trees: Fold or twist the strips into a Christmas tree shape. Optionally, insert a skewer through the middle to help maintain the shape during baking.
- Bake: Place the shaped puff pastry snacks in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the pastry turns golden and crispy.
Notes
- This recipe creates a crunchy, pesto-flavored snack shaped like Christmas trees, making it an ideal festive appetizer or aperitivo.
- You can omit the cream cheese to alter the flavor and texture or substitute with a vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free option.
- Using a skewer helps the pastry maintain its tree shape during baking but is optional.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
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: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
