Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees Recipe
These Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of flaky puff pastry, savory ham, and melty cheese are shaped into charming tree forms, brushed with a garlic-parsley butter glaze, and baked to golden perfection. Easy to assemble and visually impressive, they add a fun and flavorful touch to any party spread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 Christmas tree puff pastries 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry & Filling
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
- 12 slices deli ham (thinly sliced)
- 12 slices cheese (cheddar, gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella work well)
Glaze
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Additional
- 24 wooden skewers
- Sprinkle of sesame or poppy seeds (optional, for holiday flair)
- Optional: thin layer of honey mustard or fig jam (for sweet-savory combo)
- Optional: star-shaped cheese cutouts (for decorative “tree topper”)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Assemble Layers: Lay out one sheet of thawed puff pastry on a clean surface. Arrange slices of cheese on top, followed by the ham slices. Optionally, spread a thin layer of honey mustard or fig jam under the cheese for an extra flavor dimension. Place the second puff pastry sheet over the top and gently press down to seal the layers.
- Cut Into Strips: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the layered pastry into 1-inch wide strips. Carefully fold each strip back and forth onto a wooden skewer to create a tree-like shape.
- Apply Glaze: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Brush this glaze generously over the shaped pastry trees. If desired, sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds for decorative flair and add star-shaped cheese cutouts to the top as festive tree toppers.
- Bake: Place the prepared trees onto the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and puffed up beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Christmas tree pastries to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor, though they are still tasty at room temperature.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry sheets are fully thawed to prevent cracking when folding.
- Use a sharp knife to get clean cuts of the pastry strips for better tree shapes.
- Wooden skewers help maintain the shape but be careful placing them in the oven; ensure they are oven-safe or soak briefly in water.
- Swapping ham for turkey or using a spinach-artichoke spread makes a great vegetarian or alternative version.
- These can be made ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
Keywords: holiday appetizer, puff pastry appetizer, Christmas tree snacks, ham and cheese pastries, festive party food
