Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Puff Pastry Christmas Trees, a fun and easy Holiday Cookie idea, sprinkled or spread with cinnamon sugar makes them irresistible. Kids and adults will love them.
Puff Pastry Christmas Trees make the cutest place settings, just place the stick in your favourite thick chocolate and top with a small powdered sugar sprinkled star! So cute and delicious too.
Puff pastry candy canes or even little Christmas trees are quite popular in Italian houses during the holidays. Usually you see the trees more as a savory appetizer than a sweet dessert.
Recipe Ingredients
- Puff pastry – either store bought or even homemade puff pastry
- Sugar – granulated sugar
- Cinnamon – ground cinnmon
- Powdered sugar
- Sprinkles – Optional
- Sturdy large chocolates – We really like caramel filled chocolates (optional)
But I have to say the idea of anything cinnamon goes over really well in my house, with friends and family, so I knew it would be a good idea.
How To Make Puff Pastry Christmas Trees (video above)
In a small bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside
Roll out the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Cut 1 strip a bit bigger for the stars and then 10-13 strips lengthwise for the trees. At this point you could brush the 10-13 strips with a milk and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture or sprinkle after they formed.
If you find the dough really soft then refrigerate for about 15 minutes. Fold the 10-13 strips of dough accordion style, start with a small amount and widening as you go (until you reach the end).
Place a long skewer in the center from the base to the top of the tree. Place the trees on 1-2 parchment paper lined baking sheet with the stars. Once all 10 strips have been made, if needed sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Refrigerate for to firm. While the trees are chilling pre-heat.
Bake for approximately until golden. Remove the trees from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the stars from the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely then dust well with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze and sprinkles.
Place a star on the top of the tree and place the stick in a sturdy chocolate of choice or place on a Christmas plate and serve.
Variations
Rather then using sugar and cinnamon you could spread the puff pastry with Nutella, chocolate spread, pistachio cream or even your favorite type of jam.
How To Store The Puff Pastry Treats
They are best when eaten the day they are baked, if you do have leftovers then store them in an airtight container and keep at room temperature. They will keep for a day or two.
More Puff Pastry Desserts You May Enjoy!
- Puff Pastry Apple Pie
- Easy Puff Pastry Tiramisu
- Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Palmiers
- Chocolate Puff Pastry Braid
recipe tip
If you decide to use these Puff Pastry Christmas Trees as a place setting, then I would advise you to use a sturdy larger chocolate. I have made these with caramel chocolates which were about an inch square, they worked out perfectly this time I used Ferrero Roche, with a slice cut from the bottom so they would sit.
Whether you make these Puff Pastry Christmas Trees as simple cookies or as a place setting, I hope you enjoy them!
Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 roll rectangle puff pastry
EXTRAS
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 5-13 large sturdy chocolates
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine well the sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll out the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Cut 1 strip 1 inch / 2cm for the stars and then 10-13 strips ½-¾ inch / 1½-2 cm lengthwise. At this point you could brush the 10-13 strips with a milk and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture or sprinkle after they formed.
- If you find the dough really soft then refrigerate for about 15 minutes. Remove the dough from the fridge and fold the 10-13 strips of dough accordion style, start with a small amount and widening as you go (until you reach the end). (see video and or photos).
- Place a long skewer in the center from the base to the top of the tree. Place the trees on 1-2 parchment paper lined baking sheet with the stars. Once all 10 strips have been made, if needed sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- While the trees are chilling pre-heat the oven to 375F/190C.
- Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove the trees from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the stars from the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely then dust well with powdered sugar.
- Place a star on the top of the tree and place the stick in a sturdy chocolate of choice or place on a Christmas plate and serve. Drizzle with a simple glaze if desired. Enjoy!
SIMPLE GLAZE
- Combine ½ cup sifted powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream more or less as necessary to arrive at the desired thickness.
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from November 13, 2017.
Recipe adapted from – Alberelli di Pasta Sfoglia
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Thank you Rosemary for this lovely recipe. When you skewer the pastry tree, is it tightly skewered or do you do it loosely so that it puffs up?
Hi Tina, thanks so much and you’re welcome, yes there is a bit of space between the strips, I did do a video for it, it’s at the top of the post, it should give you a good idea on making them. I hope it helps. If I get a chance I will remake the recipe and post process shots. Take care!
Hi can you make these a couple of days before Christmas but not cook them until the day you need them?
Hi Shar, yes you can make them in advance, I wouldn’t go more than 1-2 days though. Merry Christmas!
Love the recipe! The only problem we had was one of the trees started to slide down the skewer. We experimented by adding a small piece of a maraschino cherry under the tree to hold it in place. Not only did it work but the cherry flavour mixed in with the cinnamon was absolutely delicious!
Hi Brian & Gena, thanks so much and so glad you like the recipe. Great idea to use the cherry! Have a great weekend.
W hat if Where I live, there’s no such puff pastry? How can I replace it?
Hi Carmen well I have a recipe for homemade, very easy or you could use regular pie dough, I’m sure that would work too. https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/puff-pastry/ Hope this helps. 🙂