This savoury pastry in the shape of a Christmas tree adds some extra fun this party season. It’s  a really easy to make  centre piece ideal when having friends around for festive drinks. Served with a champagne cocktail, your party is sure to go with a swing.

I can not take credit for the idea of puff pastry in the shape of a Christmas tree, I spotted it somewhere on the net last year (on one of those mini videos on Facebook, if I remember correctly). As I had  a few friends around for drinks on Christmas Eve, I decided to give it a try. It was a fun idea and was as easy to make as it looked in the video (ie very easy).

So this year I have made it again  so that I could share the idea with you. It requires two sheets of ready rolled puff pastry, some pesto, a little beaten egg and a little parmesan cheese.  Then it is just a case of cutting a basic Christmas tree shape and twisting the branches to give a pretty effect.  This year I have a seen a few on the Net, made with Nutella to make a sweet version.

Step by Step

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Pesto Christmas Tree

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

This Christmas tree shaped savoury pastry is really easy to make. It makes a fun centre piece for your festive buffet spread.

Course: Baking, Party Nibbles

Cuisine: International

Keyword: Christmas, festive, party food

Skill Level: Easy

Servings: 10

Calories: 269 kcal

Author: Jacqui Bellefontaine

Ingredients

• 2x 215g sheets of ready rolled puff pastry
• 4– 6 tbsp pesto
• a little beaten egg
• 25 g finely grated parmesan cheese

metric - US cups

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200℃ (180℃ fan)/400°F /gas mark 6.
2. Place one sheet of the puff pastry on the work surface and spread the pesto evenly over the surface. Top with the second sheet of pastry.
3. Cut out a simple Christmas tree shape and transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush the surface of the pastry with beaten egg.
4. Cut the branches of the tree and sprinkle with parmesan cheese pressing gently onto the pastry.
5. Twist the branches in alternate directions starting at the bottom and working up the try.
6. Bake for 15- 20 minutes or until the pastry is risen and golden.

Recipe Notes

Don’t waste the trimmings. Cut the trimmings into strips or star shapes and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake on a operate baking sheet.

Nutrition information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.

Nutrition Facts

Pesto Christmas Tree

Amount Per Serving

Calories 269 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 18g 28%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Sodium 191mg 8%

Potassium 41mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 20g 7%

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 2.4%

Calcium 3.4%

Iron 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Spread the pesto over one sheet of pastry.

Top with the other and cut out a Christmas tree shape.

Cut branches and sprinkle with parmesan.

Twist the branches. Bake until golden.

I used some of the trimming to cut out a few stars which I sprinkled with some sesame seeds. The remaining trimmings were just cut into bite sized pieces and baked so as not to be wasted. (Although these never made it to the table). Not one to want to waste my efforts I took this Christmas tree along to a friend’s house to go with some pre dinner drinks and everyone was very quickly tucking in.

I shall be having Christmas Eve drinks again this year, so will be making the tree for a third time.  I shall also be making  the crostini that I made last year.

 As usual I will be serving some mulled wine or mulled cider.

For something a little different I shall be offering a glass of lemon cranberry fizz – a simple champagne cocktail ( probably made with Prosecco, if truth be told).

Lemon Cranberry Fizz

Serves 6

If you are having a party you might also like to try  Christmas Crostini, Red Pepper Crostini and Bean and Pancetta Crostini. They are easy to make and can be prepared ahead and assembles just before serving.

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