Description
This Savoury Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with ham and cheese is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. It features layers of flaky puff pastry filled with herbed cream cheese, prosciutto, and shredded cheddar, twisted into a beautiful tree shape and topped with mixed seeds for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry and Fillings
- 2 sheets puff pastry (500 g)
- 100 g Boursin cheese or herbed cream cheese
- 150 g prosciutto, salami, or capocollo
- 50 g shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- Mixed seeds (such as sesame, sunflower, or poppy seeds), as needed
- Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Assemble Layers: Lay one sheet of puff pastry flat and spread the herbed cream cheese evenly over the surface. Layer the prosciutto slices on top, then generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the meat.
- Add Top Layer: Place the second sheet of puff pastry gently on top of the fillings and press lightly to seal the layers together.
- Shape the Tree: Using a sharp knife, cut a large triangle from the layered pastry. Save any extra dough to form a trunk at the bottom or to cut decorative shapes with cookie cutters.
- Make Twists: Starting from the bottom of the triangle, make slits along both sides about every 3 cm, leaving the center intact. Twist each strip gently to create branches, taking care not to over-twist to avoid filling oozing out.
- Apply Toppings: Brush the entire pastry tree with the prepared egg wash to promote browning and stickiness for the seeds. Sprinkle the mixed seeds evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the pastry on the lined baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
Notes
- This festive Christmas tree is a perfect appetizer that doubles as a stunning table centerpiece.
- You can substitute prosciutto with salami or capocollo depending on preference or availability.
- Use any variety of mixed seeds available to add texture and visual appeal.
- Don’t overtwist the strips to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- If preferred, use vegan puff pastry and cheese alternatives to make this recipe vegan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 493 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 395 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.03 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg
