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ham and cheese puff pastry christmas trees

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

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These Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are flaky, cheesy, and shaped like festive trees. Store bought puff pastry layered with ham and cheese, cut into cute shapes, baked until golden. They look impressive but take just 20 minutes of hands on work. Perfect for holiday parties, Christmas morning breakfast, or any gathering where you want easy appetizers that disappear fast.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Freezing Time 15 minutes
Total Time 53 minutes
Servings: 8 tree's
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed but still cold
  • 8 slices deli ham thin sliced
  • 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or mix
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard optional
  • Sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning optional, for topping
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Rolling Pin To flatten puff pastry creases if needed
  • 1 Sharp knife or pizza cutter To cut Christmas tree shapes
  • 1 Kitchen scissors Optional, to cut notches for tree branches
  • 2 Baking sheets with parchment paper To bake the trees and prevent sticking
  • 1 Pastry brush To apply egg wash for golden finish

Method
 

  1. Thaw puff pastry according to package directions, about 30 minutes at room temperature. Unfold the sheets on a lightly floured surface. If there are creases, gently roll them flat with a rolling pin. Don't overwork the pastry or it won't puff properly. Keep it cold while you work.
  2. Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on one puff pastry sheet if using. Lay deli ham slices evenly across the pastry, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the ham. Don't pile it too thick or it'll ooze out during baking. Place the second puff pastry sheet on top and press gently to seal the edges.
  3. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut Christmas tree shapes from the layered pastry. Start with a triangle for the tree, then cut a small rectangle at the bottom for the trunk. You should get 6 to 8 trees depending on size. Use kitchen scissors to cut small notches on the sides to make them look more tree like. Transfer trees carefully to a parchment lined baking sheet.
  4. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes. This step is crucial for the trees to hold their shape. While they freeze, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. When trees are firm, brush them all over with egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning if using.
  5. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the trees for 15 to 18 minutes until puffed and golden brown. The pastry should be crispy and the cheese melted inside. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs to look like mini Christmas trees if desired.
    baking ham and cheese puff pastry christmas trees

Nutrition

Serving: 1treeCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 180IUCalcium: 85mgIron: 0.6mg

Notes

The secret to perfect Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees is freezing them for 15 minutes before baking. This firms up the butter in the pastry so it puffs properly before the cheese melts. Without freezing, the cheese oozes out and the trees lose their shape. Also keep everything cold while you work. Warm puff pastry tears and won't puff right. Use the egg wash for that bakery golden shine.

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