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Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 116 reviews

This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a festive and fun holiday appetizer made with flaky puff pastry, strawberry jam, and a sweet glaze. The puff pastry is cut and twisted to resemble a Christmas tree, then baked until golden and topped with a sugary glaze, making it a beautiful and delicious centerpiece for any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry Tree

  • 1 17.3 oz package frozen Puff Pastry (thawed)
  • 1/3 cup strawberry jam
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 2 Tablespoons raw sugar

Glaze

  • 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • splash vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400º F (200º C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare puff pastry: Let the frozen puff pastry sheets thaw completely. Once thawed, unfold and gently roll them into a 10×13 inch rectangle. Stack the two sheets on top of each other on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Cut shapes: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the stacked puff pastry into a large triangle shape to form the tree. Cut a small rectangle from the scraps for the tree trunk and a star shape for the top of the tree.
  4. Cut branches: Starting from the bottom and moving upward, make approximately 1-inch spaced slits on each side of the triangle, leaving a 2-inch wide strip intact down the center. These slits will become the twisted branches.
  5. Remove top layer and add jam: Carefully peel off the top layer of puff pastry and spread the 1/3 cup strawberry jam evenly over the surface of the bottom layer.
  6. Reassemble and twist branches: Place the top layer of pastry back over the jam. Starting at the bottom, gently twist each pair of branches 1 to 3 times, being careful to keep the jam sandwiched in between the two layers.
  7. Brush with egg wash: Beat together 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon of water, then brush this mixture evenly over the entire tree to give it a golden, shiny finish. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of raw sugar over the top for added texture and sweetness.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until the pastry has puffed up and is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before handling.
  9. Prepare glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth and dippable. Adjust milk quantity to reach desired consistency.
  10. Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled puff pastry tree or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy this beautiful and delicious holiday treat!

Notes

  • Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed before working with it to prevent tearing.
  • Be gentle when twisting the branches to avoid breaking the pastry layers.
  • Raw sugar adds a nice crunch; feel free to substitute with granulated sugar if preferred.
  • The glaze adds sweetness and can be customized with different extracts like almond or citrus zest.
  • Serve immediately or within 1 day for best freshness as puff pastry can become soggy if stored too long.

Keywords: Puff Pastry Christmas Tree, holiday appetizer, puff pastry recipe, Christmas recipe, festive snack, strawberry jam pastry

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/puff-pastry-christmas-tree-recipe/