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Pesto Puff Pastry Holiday Trees Recipe

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4.3 from 20 reviews

  • Author: Diane
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Description

These Pesto Puff Pastry Holiday Trees are a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for any holiday gathering. Layers of flaky puff pastry are filled with vibrant basil pesto and cheeses, then formed into charming tree shapes, baked until golden, and finished with a drizzle of hot honey and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy kick.

Ingredients

Puff Pastry and Filling

  • 2 sheets of puff pastry
  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Toppings and Finishing

  • 1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon hot honey sauce
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Spread pastry with pesto and cheese: Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a clean flat surface, preferably on the parchment paper it came with for easy handling. Spread the basil pesto evenly across the entire surface, reaching as close to the edges as possible. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly over the pesto layer.
  2. Slice into strips: Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the pesto and cheese-covered sheet. Press down gently with your hands or a rolling pin to seal the layers together. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut 1-inch (2.5 cm) strips down the length of the pastry rectangle, leaving about a 2-inch (5 cm) section at one end to cut out star shapes for the tree toppers.
  3. Fold the Christmas trees: Take each layered pastry strip and carefully fold it over itself four times to shape it roughly like a triangle or Christmas tree. Secure each folded strip by pressing a skewer through it vertically so it holds its shape. Place all the folded pastry trees on the prepared baking tray.
  4. Add star toppers: Use a mini star-shaped cutter to cut out small stars from the reserved 2-inch strip of pastry. Skewer the stars onto the top of each pastry tree to decorate them, then place the tray back ready for baking.
  5. Bake the trees: Brush each pastry tree evenly with the whisked egg wash to achieve a beautiful golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the trees are puffed up, golden, and crispy.
  6. Finish and serve: Remove the baked trees from the oven and immediately drizzle them with the hot honey sauce. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a touch of heat if desired. Serve these delightful pastry trees warm while they are crispy and fresh for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

  • Using chilled puff pastry makes it easier to handle and results in a flakier texture.
  • If hot honey is not available, you can make your own by warming honey and mixing in a pinch of chili flakes.
  • The skewers help maintain the tree shape during baking, but be sure to remove them before eating.
  • You can swap mozzarella for other melting cheeses such as fontina or gouda for variation.
  • This recipe is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven to retain crispness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Find it online: https://eatwithdiane.com/pesto-puff-pastry-holiday-trees-recipe/