Festive Pesto and Cheese Christmas Tree Pastry

Name: Festive Pesto and Cheese Christmas Tree Pastry
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: 2 sheets all-butter puff pastry; 6 tbsp pesto; 100 g mature cheddar parmesan or gruyère, finely grated; 1 egg, beaten; 1 serving dips of your choice, to serve

A stunning and delicious holiday appetizer that's surprisingly easy to make. Flaky puff pastry is filled with savory pesto and melted cheese, then twisted into a beautiful Christmas tree shape that's perfect for sharing.

Servings15 Portions

Prep Time20 Mins

Cook Time25 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

all-butter puff pastry
2 sheets
pesto
6 tbsp
mature cheddar parmesan or gruyère, finely grated
100 g
egg, beaten
1
dips of your choice, to serve
1 serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas 6). Unroll both puff pastry sheets, keeping them on their original baking parchment for easy handling.

Spread the pesto evenly over one of the pastry sheets, then scatter half of the grated cheese over the top. Carefully flip the second sheet of pastry onto the first and press down gently to stick them together. Peel away and discard the top layer of parchment paper.

Using a sharp knife, cut out a large triangle shape with a small rectangular stump at the base to create a Christmas tree. Use the pastry offcuts to cut out a star for the top. Transfer the tree onto a large baking tray lined with parchment.

Brush the entire tree with the beaten egg. Do the same with the star and press it firmly onto the tip of the tree. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tree and press it lightly into the pastry.

Cut horizontal lines into the sides of the triangle about 1cm apart, leaving a solid 2cm 'trunk' running up the middle. Twist each resulting pastry strip to create 'branches'. Cut any remaining offcuts into simple straws and place them on a separate baking tray.