Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Flaky, golden puff pastry layered with melty cheese and savory ham, twisted into adorable holiday tree shapes. These Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are perfect finger foods for parties, brunches, or cozy nights in. They look fancy but come together quickly with simple ingredients and an easy baking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 trees 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
- 12 slices of deli ham (thinly sliced)
- 12 slices of cheese (cheddar, gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella work well)
- 24 wooden skewers
Optional Garlic Butter Glaze
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Sprinkle of sesame or poppy seeds (optional holiday flair)
Holiday Twists (Optional)
- Thin layer of honey mustard or fig jam under the cheese for sweet-savory flavor
- Star-shaped cheese cutouts on top as decorative “tree toppers”
- Swap ham for turkey or spinach-artichoke spread for a vegetarian version
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Assemble Layers: Lay out one sheet of thawed puff pastry. Evenly layer the cheese slices on top, followed by the deli ham slices. Place the second sheet of puff pastry over the ham and gently press down to secure the layers together.
- Cut Strips and Shape Trees: Slice the assembled puff pastry into 1-inch wide strips. Thread each strip back and forth onto a wooden skewer, folding it to resemble a Christmas tree shape.
- Brush with Garlic Butter Glaze: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley. Brush this flavorful glaze generously over each puff pastry tree. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired for extra holiday flair.
- Bake: Place the skewered puff pastry trees on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the trees to cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed warm, but still delicious at room temperature, making them perfect for parties or brunches.
Notes
- For a sweet-savory twist, spread honey mustard or fig jam under the cheese before layering the ham.
- To make these vegetarian, replace the ham with spinach-artichoke spread or use turkey slices for a different meat option.
- Puff pastry should be fully thawed before assembling to ensure easy handling and even baking.
- Wooden skewers help maintain the tree shape during baking but be careful when inserting to avoid tearing the pastry.
- Serve these as finger foods at holiday parties or festive brunches for a charming presentation.