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Puff Pastry Fir Tree Pesto Cheese Twists
Bake a festive puff pastry Christmas tree packed with pesto and cheese twists—an easy holiday appetizer ready in minutes.
Fir Tree Puff Pastry Cheese Twists are a festive, share-friendly appetizer or snack created by layering two sheets of store-bought puff pastry with a flavorful spread—commonly basil pesto and grated cheese, garlic-herb butter, or a sweet option such as chocolate-hazelnut—then cutting the stacked pastry into a stylized tree shape, twisting the “branches,” and baking until crisp and golden. The result is a pull-apart arrangement of flaky pastry strips that combine a buttery exterior with a warmly seasoned filling, making it an eye-catching centerpiece for holiday parties, potlucks, or Christmas morning brunch.
Puff Pastry Fir Tree Pesto Cheese Twists
Ready in roughly 30 minutes from freezer to table, this project-style bake requires nothing more than a thawed sheet of puff pastry and your favorite spread-ins. The tree can be assembled a day ahead, refrigerated, and baked just before guests arrive, making it a low-stress showpiece that adapts to savory or sweet fillings alike.
Prep Time
20 minutes
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
20 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
40 minutes
Ingredients
Ready-rolled puff pastry sheets 2 sheets
- Basil pesto (green) 4–5 tbsp
- Shredded mozzarella or pizza-blend cheese 1 cup (≈110 g)
- Freshly grated Parmesan (or Pecorino) 2 tbsp
- Large egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1
- Sesame seeds 1 tsp (optional garnish)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs 2–3 small sprigs (optional décor)
- Cherry tomatoes or dried cranberries, halved 6–8 pieces (optional festive touch)
Method
Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Unroll one sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured work surface
- Spread a thin, even layer of basil pesto over the pastry
- Sprinkle grated mozzarella evenly over the pesto
- Sprinkle grated parmesan evenly over the mozzarella
- Unroll the second puff pastry sheet and lay it directly on top of the first
- Press gently over the surface to seal the two sheets together
- Cut a large triangle shape from the layered pastry to resemble a Christmas tree
- Cut a small rectangle at the base of the triangle to form the trunk
- Move the pastry tree onto the prepared baking sheet
- Cut horizontal strips about 2 cm apart along one side of the tree, stopping 1–2 cm before the centre line
- Repeat the horizontal cuts on the opposite side of the tree
- Twist each branch two or three times to create spirals
- Gather the pastry off-cuts and cut out one star shape
- Place the pastry star at the top of the tree and press lightly to stick
- Beat one egg in a small bowl until smooth
- Brush the beaten egg over the entire surface of the tree and star
- Sprinkle a little extra parmesan over the egg-washed pastry
- Bake the pastry tree in the hot oven for 18–22 minutes until puffed and golden brown
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven
- Transfer the baked tree to a wire rack
- Let the pastry cool for a few minutes before serving
- Serve the warm tree so guests can pull off the twisted branches
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
3530 kcal Protein
85 g Fat
241 g Carbs
253 g Fiber
13 g Sugar
12 g
3530 kcal Protein
85 g Fat
241 g Carbs
253 g Fiber
13 g Sugar
12 g
Notes
For extra lift and definition, chill the assembled tree for 10 minutes before it goes into the hot oven—cold butter equals flakier layers. Swap in a swipe of cranberry jam and crumbled Brie for a sweet-savory twist that pairs beautifully with sparkling wine.
why this recipe
Elegant yet delightfully simple, puff pastry Christmas tree twists transform a handful of everyday ingredients into a show-stopping centerpiece that tastes as magical as it looks. The flaky golden layers cradle sweet-savory fillings and bake into a sculpted tree shape that instantly brings holiday cheer to the table, inviting guests to break off warm, buttery branches and share in the moment. Because the pastry is pre-rolled, prep time stays wonderfully short, while the dramatic presentation makes you look like you spent hours in the kitchen. Whether served as an appetizer or a festive dessert, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of crisp texture, rich flavor, and unmistakable seasonal charm—proof that the most memorable dishes are often the simplest to create.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I assemble the puff pastry Christmas tree ahead of time and bake it later?
Yes—assemble the tree up to a day in advance, place it on a parchment-lined tray, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge (add the egg wash just before it goes into the oven); the chilled pastry will actually puff even better.
How do I store and reheat leftover puff pastry twists so they stay crisp?
Let the twists cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours (or refrigerate up to 3 days, though chilling softens them). To restore their flakiness, arrange the twists on a baking sheet and warm in a 175 °C / 350 °F oven for 5–8 minutes until crisp; avoid the microwave, which makes puff pastry soggy.
Can I make a sweet version of the puff pastry Christmas tree instead of savory?
Absolutely—simply replace the pesto-cheese filling with a sweet spread such as chocolate-hazelnut, cookie butter, fruit jam, or cinnamon-sugar butter, then proceed with the same cutting and twisting steps. For extra flair, dust the baked tree with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate and scatter festive sprinkles or dried fruit over the top.