Description

These Festive Beef Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are a delightful and visually charming appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of flaky all-butter puff pastry are filled with savory beef ham and sharp cheddar cheese, twisted into whimsical tree shapes, brushed with a golden egg wash, and optionally garnished with seeds and herbs for a festive touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry Layers

2 sheets of good quality, all-butter puff pastry
Thinly sliced, good quality beef ham (approx. 6-8 slices)
Grated sharp cheddar cheese (or mild cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella), about 1 to 1½ cups

Egg Wash

1 egg
1 tablespoon water or milk

Optional Garnishes

Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Dried herbs such as oregano or thyme
Small pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
Cream cheese or melted cheese (to attach star shapes if desired)

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) and prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Prepare the puff pastry base: On a lightly floured surface, unroll one chilled puff pastry sheet and roll it out gently to a rectangle approximately 10×12 inches (25×30 cm) to create an even base.
Add cheese and ham layers: Spread a thin, even layer of grated cheese over the pastry, leaving about a ½-inch (1 cm) border on one long edge. Then arrange a single, even layer of thinly sliced beef ham on top of the cheese.
Layer with second puff pastry sheet: Unroll the second puff pastry sheet and carefully place it over the beef ham and cheese layer. Press gently all over to seal the layers together.
Trim and cut strips: Trim the edges to create a neat rectangle, then slice the layered pastry into vertical strips approximately ¾-inch (2 cm) wide.
Form Christmas trees: Take each strip and twist it several times from both ends to form a spiral shape. Then fold the twisted strip back and forth in a zigzag pattern to shape it like a Christmas tree.
Place on baking sheets and apply egg wash: Arrange the shaped trees on the parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them apart. Whisk together the egg and water (or milk) to make an egg wash, and lightly brush the tops and sides of each pastry tree to promote browning.
Add optional garnishes: Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or dried herbs on top for additional flavor and festive appearance if desired.
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the puff pastry is fully puffed, golden brown, and the cheese has melted and become bubbly.
Cool and serve: Let the Christmas trees cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Optionally, insert a small pretzel stick into the base of each tree to serve as a trunk. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

You can substitute the cheese with your preferred melting cheese such as Gruyère or mozzarella for different flavors.
Ensure your puff pastry sheets are well-chilled before working to make them easier to handle and to achieve maximum puffiness when baked.
The egg wash ensures a shiny, golden finish on the pastry, but can be omitted for a vegan option by using a plant-based milk glaze instead.
These festive trees can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving to maintain crispiness.
Optional garnishes like small star-shaped cutouts from puff pastry can be added on top with a dab of cream cheese or melted cheese to enhance decoration.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: European

Keywords: Festive appetizer, puff pastry, Christmas tree snacks, beef ham, cheese pastry, holiday party food, savory puff pastry