Celebrate the festive season with these charming Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees. They combine golden, flaky puff pastry with savory layers of melty cheese and delicious ham, creating a delightful treat that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly tasty.
Perfect for holiday parties, brunches, or cozy nights, these festive finger foods come together quickly and impress without the fuss. Their whimsical tree shapes add festive flair, while the optional garlic butter glaze enhances each bite with extra flavor.
- Quick and easy to assemble, perfect for holiday entertaining and busy schedules.
- Festive and fun presentation that instantly elevates any party spread.
- Versatile ingredients allowing swaps to suit your dietary preferences or to add creative twists.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature, ideal for make-ahead prepping.
Ingredients
- Puff Pastry Sheets: Two thawed sheets of buttery, flaky puff pastry that provide a crisp and golden base for the trees.
- Deli Ham: Twelve thinly sliced deli ham pieces offering rich, savory flavor in every bite.
- Cheese Slices: Twelve slices of your choice (cheddar, gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella) adding melty, creamy layers to the pastry.
- Wooden Skewers: Twenty-four skewers to hold the twisted pastry strips securely in charming tree shapes.
- Melted Butter: Four tablespoons, used in the garlic butter glaze for a shiny, flavorful finish.
- Minced Garlic: Two teaspoons, added to butter for an aromatic and savory glaze.
- Fresh Parsley: Two tablespoons chopped, to brighten and freshen the garlic butter glaze.
- Sesame or Poppy Seeds (optional): A sprinkling for an extra festive and decorative touch on top of the trees.
- Honey Mustard or Fig Jam (optional): A thin spread beneath the cheese for a delightful sweet-savory contrast.
- Star-shaped Cheese Cutouts (optional): Decorative cheese accents placed on top as festive tree toppers.
- Alternative Fillings: Try swapping ham with turkey or a spinach-artichoke spread for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
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Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps achieve even baking for crisp, golden puff pastry.
- Assemble the Puff Pastry Layers
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Lay out one thawed puff pastry sheet flat on your work surface. Layer evenly with cheese slices, followed by ham slices, creating a balanced flavor base. Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top and press gently to seal the layers together, ensuring the fillings stay contained during baking.
- Cut and Shape the Strips
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Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the layered pastry into 1-inch-wide strips. Thread each strip onto a wooden skewer, folding the pastry back and forth to mimic the branches of a Christmas tree, adding fun and festive appeal.
- Prepare and Brush the Garlic Butter Glaze
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Mix melted butter with minced garlic and chopped fresh parsley to create a fragrant, flavorful glaze. Brush this mixture generously over each twisted tree to promote browning and infuse savory notes. Sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds if desired for a festive finish.
- Bake Until Golden and Puffy
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Place the prepared trees on the baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The puff pastry will rise and turn beautifully golden and crisp, while the cheese melts perfectly inside, creating a delicious crispy-cheesy bite.
- Cool Slightly and Serve Warm or Room Temperature
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Allow the trees to cool for a few minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed warm to experience the melty cheese, though they remain tasty at room temperature, making them suitable for party platters or packed lunches.
- Ensure puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold for easy handling and the best flaky texture.
- Use sharpened knives or rotary cutters for clean, precise strips to maintain tree shapes.
- Wooden skewers help keep the twisted shapes intact during baking but remember to remove before eating if preferred.
- Experiment with different cheese types for varying flavors and melt levels.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover puff pastry trees in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day to maintain flakiness. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven to refresh crispness before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Christmas trees alongside a variety of dips such as honey mustard, marinara, or a creamy spinach dip. They also pair wonderfully with a light holiday salad or charcuterie board for a well-rounded festive spread.
- Brush edges with egg wash if you want an extra shiny, golden finish on the puff pastry.
- Use chilled puff pastry and keep hands cool for easier handling and folding during assembly.
- For vegetarian versions, swap ham with spinach-artichoke spread and add a sprinkle of your favorite herbs.
- Try layering thin apple slices under the cheese for a unique sweet-savory twist that complements ham.
FAQs
- Can I prepare these puff pastry trees ahead of time?
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Yes, you can assemble the trees and keep them in the refrigerator for a few hours before baking. Let them rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before placing in the oven.
- What type of cheese works best in this recipe?
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Cheeses that melt well such as cheddar, gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella are ideal. You can mix varieties for extra flavor complexity.
- Can I freeze the assembled or cooked trees?
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It is best to freeze cooked trees after cooling. Wrap them tightly and reheat in the oven to crisp up. Freezing raw assembled trees may affect puff pastry rise.
- How do I make these vegetarian-friendly?
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Simply replace the ham with a flavorful spinach-artichoke spread, roasted vegetables, or your preferred vegetarian fillings.
- What if I don’t have wooden skewers?
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You can twist the strips into tree shapes and place them directly on the baking sheet, though the skewers help maintain structure and ease of handling.
Ham Cheese Puff Pastry Trees
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- 24 wooden skewers
- 1 pastry brush for garlic butter glaze
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed
- 12 slices deli ham thinly sliced
- 12 slices cheese cheddar, gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella
- 24 wooden skewers
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lay one puff pastry sheet on a flat surface. Top evenly with cheese slices, then ham slices.
- Place the second puff pastry sheet on top and press down lightly to seal layers.
- Cut the layered pastry into 1-inch wide strips.
- Fold each strip back and forth onto a wooden skewer to shape like a Christmas tree.
- Mix melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley to make a glaze.
- Brush the garlic butter glaze generously over each pastry tree. Sprinkle with seeds if desired.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Try adding honey mustard or fig jam under cheese for a sweet-savory twist.
- Use star-shaped cheese cutouts as festive toppers.
- Swap ham for turkey or a vegetarian spread for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
