Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

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This puff pastry Christmas tree recipe is a festive holiday treat. Flaky puff pastry is filled with apples, blueberries, and jam that’s lightly sweetened with brown sugar. Crispy on the outside and warm and sweet on the inside, it’s the easiest pastry recipe, perfect for Christmas day, that everyone is sure to enjoy!

This easy puff pastry Christmas tree dessert will add a touch of magic to your holiday season. Not only is it so tasty, but it’s also a fun and creative way to engage the whole family in the kitchen during this special time of year.

Made from simple ingredients, it’s wholesome and delicious. The sweet combination of apples, blueberries, and blueberry jam, nestled within a golden-brown pastry sheet is stunning, It creates a delightful contrast that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

The adorable tree shape made by the sheets of puff pastry adds a playful touch, making it the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas day spread. With minimal effort, you’ll have an ideal puff pastry tree.

The best part? This recipe is so versatile and you can easily swap out the filling for your favorite jam or even try some savory filling options like cream cheese and spinach. Once you try it, you will quickly add this one to your list of favorite Christmas recipes (like this vegan Christmas pudding and vegan mincemeat)!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

• Plant-Based: This puff pastry Christmas dessert is a great option for those following a plant-based diet. With ingredients like apples, blueberries, and jam, it is a delicious way to incorporate more fruits into your holiday desserts.
• Quick And Easy: This delightful recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for the busy holiday season. With a simple dough recipe and a straightforward filling, you can have this tree-shaped pastry ready in no time.
• Family-Friendly: This is family-friendly recipe that everyone will love. Its sweet and savory flavor profile appeals to both adults and kids, making it a hit at any holiday gathering. It’s perfect for Christmas parties too!
• Great For Beginners: If you’re new to baking, this recipe is a great place to start. The instructions are easy to follow, and the result is a fun, delicious dessert that’s sure to impress.

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🥘 Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this Christmas tree puff pastry recipe. And I’m sure most of them are already in your pantry, while the rest can easily be found at your local grocery store. For full ingredients list, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Pastry

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the main ingredient and the backbone of our crust. It gives structure to our puff pastry, guaranteeing that it holds its tree shape.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness to the pastry and creates the flaky layers we all love in a good puff pastry. 
• Egg: The egg acts as a binder for our crust, helping all the ingredients stick together. It also gives the pastry a beautiful golden brown color when baked.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the sweet flavors in our pastry, complimenting the filling perfectly.
• Water: A little bit of water is needed to bring the dough together

Fruit Filling

• Apples: Thinly sliced apples add a sweet, fruity flavor to our filling, and their natural juices keep the pastry moist on the inside. I prefer to use Granny Smith or Fuji, as they make for perfect baking apples and hold their form.
• Blueberries: These little stars of the fruit world add a pop of color and a burst of tangy sweetness to our Christmas tree.
• Blueberry Jam: It acts as a sweet glue, holding our fruit together and adding an extra layer of blueberry flavor. Use a low-sugar jam if possible.
• Brown Sugar (optional): Used to sprinkle over the apples and blueberries for a bit of extra sweetness. Mix with a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon for a cinnamon sugar finish.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

• All-Purpose Flour: Whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour can also be a healthier substitute, just keep in mind the texture of your pastry may change slightly.
• Unsalted Butter: For a plant-based option, you can use coconut oil or vegan butter. Both will give you a similar texture to butter.
• Egg: You can substitute the egg with a flax egg. To make a flax egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
• Vanilla Extract: If you don’t have it on hand, you can use almond extract or maple syrup.
• Apples & Blueberries: You can use pears or peaches instead of apples and other fresh berries such as raspberries or blackberries for a different flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a healthier, plant-based option.

🔪 How To Make Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Get ready to impress your guests this holiday season with this Christmas tree using puff pastry! For more detailed instructions and nutrition facts, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Preheat The Oven: Start off by preheating your oven to 350 F. This is an essential first step for baking your Christmas tree dessert.

Mix The Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the flour and butter using a fork. Add the egg and vanilla, continuing to mix well. Include 2 tablespoons of water and continue mixing. If you find the dough too dry, gradually add more water.

Rest The Dough: Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will make it easier to roll and shape later.

Roll Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch using a rolling pin.

Bake Dough: Place the dough on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Cut The Dough: After removing the dough from the oven, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut it into the shape of a Christmas tree. Be creative and have fun with this step! You can draw an outline of a Christmas tree on a piece of parchment paper to use as a guide.

Spread The Jam: Spread your chosen jam all over the tree-shaped dough. This will add a sweet and tangy flavor to your puff pastry Xmas tree.

Place Apples: Starting from the edge of the tree, place the apple slices all the way to the center until completely covered.

Apply Brown Sugar: Sprinkle brown sugar all over the apples for an extra touch of sweetness.

Bake Again: Bake your puff pastry Christmas tree for an additional 20 minutes.

Decorate: Once your pastry Christmas tree is baked, decorate it with blueberries for a pop of color and added flavor. Finally, dust your Christmas puff pastry dessert with powdered sugar for a wintery, snowy finish. Enjoy!

💭 Expert Tips

• Use Cold Butter: For the perfect, flaky texture of puff pastry, make sure that the butter is cold. If the butter isn’t cold, you won’t achieve the desired texture for your pastry.
• Let Your Dough Rest: Make sure to allow your dough to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Skipping this step may result in a dense dough that doesn’t puff up properly.
• Get Creative With Shapes: Don’t limit yourself to a Christmas tree shape. You can use cookie cutters to create several smaller Christmas trees or even other holiday shapes for a fun twist.
• Apply A Thin Layer Of Jam: When spreading the jam over your pastry, make sure that it is a thin layer. Too much jam can make the pastry soggy and affect the crispness.
• Arrange Your Apples Properly: Start placing your apple slices from the edge of the tree to the center. This helps to guarantee a uniform look and even baking.
• Monitor Your Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your puff pastry in the oven. The baking time can vary based on your oven, so check regularly to avoid burning.

📖 Variations

• Store-Bought Puff Pastry Sheets: For those who prefer convenience, try using thawed puff pastry sheets instead of making your own dough. This not only saves time but also guarantees a consistently flaky texture for your Christmas tree pastry.
• Star-Studded Tree: Give your Christmas tree appetizer an extra decorative touch by cutting your apples into little star shapes using a sharp knife or a small star cookie cutter. Arrange these adorable tree ‘ornaments’ all over the pastry or add a bigger one to the top of the Christmas tree.
• Alternate Spreads: Experiment with different spreads to discover new flavors. Whether it is raspberry jam, strawberry jam, peanut butter, or a chocolate spread, each offers a unique twist to the classic recipe. You can even use cream cheese for a tangy contrast to the sweet fruit.
• Pesto Puff Pastry Christmas Trees: Replace the sweet filling with a savory one by spreading a layer of basil pesto on the puff pastry sheets and sprinkling with parmesan cheese. Other savory fillings include cherry tomatoes and some marinara sauce instead of pesto sauce.
• Nutella Christmas Tree With Puff Pastry:  For chocolate lovers, spread a layer of peanut butter on the first sheet of puff pastry and a layer of Nutella or homemade chocolate-hazelnut spread on the second sheet of puff pastry. This variation is a delicious blend of sweet and salty flavors that kids will love.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This puff pastry Christmas idea is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of meals to add fun to your holidays. Here are some great serving suggestions:

• Breakfast: Start your Christmas day with a breakfast spread by serving this alongside a hearty vegetable egg white omelette, Santa pancakes, or a bowl of warm vegan baked oatmeal topped with cinnamon sugar and fresh fruits.
• Appetizer: It makes a delicious appetizer for your holiday gatherings. Serve it with other finger foods like stuffed bell peppers, mini quiches, or vegan sliders for a delightful start to your Christmas feast.
• Desserts: If you’re planning a dessert spread, then serve it alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread bundt cake, vegan Ferrero Rocher, or a homemade version of these mini apple pies with puff pastry.
• Snack: Enjoy this as a midday snack with a cup of healthy hot chocolate. It is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

This puff pastry appetizer is delicious and can easily be modified to make it vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Here’s how you can adapt the recipe to fit these dietary needs:

• Vegan And Dairy-Free Option: The crust of this recipe calls for butter and an egg. To make it vegan, substitute the butter with coconut oil or any other plant-based butter. Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) or any other vegan egg substitute.
• Gluten-Free Option: The recipe uses all-purpose flour for the crust. To make it gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it is one that substitutes 1:1 for regular flour.

🫙 Storage Directions

• To Refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator. Simply place them in an airtight container and they should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• To Freeze: Unfortunately, this recipe doesn’t freeze well due to the delicate nature of the puff pastry. The pastry can become soggy when defrosted, losing the flaky and crisp texture that makes it so delicious.
• To Reheat: Preheat your oven to medium heat (around 350°F or Gas Mark 4). Place the pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until it is warmed through and the pastry is crispy again. Be sure to watch it closely to avoid over-browning.

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🎄More Christmas Dessert Recipes!

• Snowman Cupcakes
• Reindeer Holiday Sandwiches
• Fruit And Nut Cookies
• Christmas Muffins
• Healthy Cinnamon Rolls
• Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
• Healthy Vegan Scones with Pumpkin

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