How to Make Pretty Pesto Puff Pastry Trees

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These pesto puff pastry trees are so simple and delicious and are a great appetizer throughout the holiday season!

I have been feeling extra pressed for time this holiday season, as I’m sure many of you can relate to! I always test out recipes I share to make sure they are convenient, delicious, and easy to make, and these adorable pesto puff pastry trees pass with flying colors!

Supplies Needed

Don’t worry, you don’t need to make your own pesto from scratch! All you need is:

• 1 roll Pillsbury Puff Pastry
• 3 tbsp pre-made basil pesto
• 2 tbsp Parmigiano cheese, grated (Note: this is different than Parmesan cheese, but either would work.)
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• Parchment paper
• Skewer sticks (optional)
• Small star or snowflake cookie cutter for tree topper (optional)

One batch will yield 8-10 trees.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper and roll out puff pastry.
3. Using the back of a spoon or spatula, spread the pesto evenly over the entire puff pastry.
4. Sprinkle the grated Parmigiano on top of the pesto.
5. Cut the puff pastry into long strips about one-inch wide (I used a pizza cutter.)
6. Fold each strip and assemble into a tree shape so they are widest at the bottom and get progressively narrower near the top. (Optional: secure each tree shape with a wooden skewer)
7. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
8. While the trees are baking, use star or snowflake cookie cutter to make topper out of small slice of Parmigiano cheese.
9. Serve or drizzle with marinara sauce.

You Can Watch a Quick Video Tutorial Here!

Note: If you bought pre-grated Parmigiano cheese, you could also make the tree toppers out of the puff pastry. (Just don’t cover a small section of the puffy pastry with pesto in order to use for the toppers.) Only bake for a few minutes so they don’t burn.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

You can prep the trees ahead of time, but I’d recommend not doing so more than one day in advance so the puff pastry doesn’t get too soggy from the pesto.

How Should I Store Leftovers?

These are best stored in a Ziploc bag, Tupperware container, or plate covered with Saran Wrap. They should stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Perfect Presentation Platters

These trees are so cute on their own that any plate will do! Here are some of my favorites:

Wooden Serving Boards: I used this black wooden serving board and they would also look beautiful on a brown wooden serving tray, this white-washed option, or this marble and wood choice.

Cake Stands: Who says you can’t put appetizers on a cake stand?! I also love this wooden cake stand or this beaded cake stand from Antique Farmhouse.

Christmas Platters: To be extra festive, you could arrange this on a tree-shaped wooden tray or this tree platter! A festive holiday plate like this Merry and Bright or this Happy Holidays platter would also be darling.

Party Trays: This agate cheese platter or this marble slab are both beautiful. For a larger batch, you could go with this MacKenzie-Childs tray.

Appetizer Plates: These candy cane plates or holiday plates from Target would be perfect, These MacKenzie Childs toyland plates would make for a nice higher-end choice

Happy Holidays!

Have you ever tried making these? If so, I’d love to see them and thanks to www.cookingmydreams.com for the recipe inspiration! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

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