Description
This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer is a festive and easy-to-make snack featuring flaky puff pastry layered with flavorful pesto, melty mozzarella, and fresh cherry tomatoes. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it offers a delightful combination of textures and colors, with multiple filling options to suit various tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 17.3 oz puff pastry (2 sheets; use vegan or gluten-free if preferred)
Filling
- 2.6 oz pesto (homemade or storebought, drained of excess oil)
- 1.6 oz mozzarella cheese (or another melty cheese like cheddar)
- 4.2 oz cherry tomatoes (at least 15-16 tomatoes)
Finishing
- 0.5 oz butter (melted, or vegan butter/coconut oil)
- Few basil leaves (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare Pesto (if using homemade): If making homemade pesto, blend fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan (optional), olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Drain any excess oil for a thicker consistency suitable for spreading.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pastry.
- Assemble Puff Pastry: Lay out one sheet of puff pastry and spread the pesto evenly over the surface. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pesto layer. Place halved or sliced cherry tomatoes evenly across the sheet.
- Layer Pastry Sheets: Place the second puff pastry sheet over the filled sheet, gently pressing down to seal the layers together.
- Cut and Shape Tree: Cut the layered puff pastry into strips and twist them to resemble tree branches. Stack or arrange the twisted strips in a Christmas tree shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush with Butter: Brush the melted butter (or vegan butter/coconut oil) over the entire surface to promote browning and add flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Decorate with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve warm as a festive appetizer.
Notes
- This appetizer is versatile, allowing for multiple sweet or savory filling options to suit different preferences.
- Using vegan or gluten-free puff pastry can accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Ensure excess oil is drained from pesto to prevent sogginess in the pastry.
- Best served warm for optimal flavor and texture.
- Prep time is about 10 minutes, making it an easy last-minute holiday snack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 135 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 96 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg
