Why Make This Recipe
Cream Cheese and Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are a festive treat that everyone will enjoy. They are fun to make and look great on any holiday table. This recipe is simple and perfect for gatherings or even as a tasty snack. The combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy cheese, and savory ham is sure to please both kids and adults alike.
How to Make Cream Cheese and Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Ingredients:
- 1 roll puff pastry
- 100 g cream cheese
- 50 g ham
- Cheese (to taste)
- Olives (to taste)
Directions:
- Begin by rolling out the puff pastry on a clean surface.
- Take the cream cheese and spread it evenly over the top half of the pastry.
- Next, lay out the ham on top of the cream cheese.
- Fold the dough in half, covering the ham with the other half of the pastry.
- Using a knife, cut the dough into strips but leave a little space at the bottom uncut.
- Twist each strip into a ‘Christmas tree’ shape.
- Carefully place each twisted tree onto wooden skewers.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
- Bake in the oven at 180 degrees C for about 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
How to Serve Cream Cheese and Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
These Christmas trees can be served warm or at room temperature. They are perfect as a finger food appetizer. You can also add a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side, like mustard or a creamy dip, to enhance the flavor.
How to Store Cream Cheese and Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be kept for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in the oven for a few minutes until they are warm and crispy again.
Tips to Make Cream Cheese and Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- Ensure your puff pastry is thawed and nice and cold for the best results.
- Experiment with different kinds of cheeses or add herbs to the cream cheese for extra flavor.
- Use a pair of scissors to cut the dough into strips for a clean cut.
Variation
You can substitute the ham with cooked chicken or veggies for a vegetarian option. Also, try different spreads like herbed cream cheese or sun-dried tomato spread.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought cream cheese?
Yes, store-bought cream cheese works perfectly for this recipe. You can also use flavored varieties for a twist.
2. Can these be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the trees a few hours in advance and bake them just before serving.
3. What can I use instead of olives?
If you prefer, you can skip the olives or use small cherry tomatoes as a garnish for additional color.
Cream Cheese and Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Festive puff pastry trees filled with creamy cheese and savory ham, perfect for holiday gatherings.
For the pastry
- 1 roll puff pastry (Ensure it’s thawed and cold for best results.)
For the filling
- 100 g cream cheese (Store-bought works perfectly; can use flavored varieties.)
- 50 g ham (Substitute with cooked chicken or veggies for a vegetarian option.)
- to taste Cheese (Experiment with different kinds of cheese.)
- to taste Olives (Can be replaced with small cherry tomatoes for garnish.)
Preparation
- Begin by rolling out the puff pastry on a clean surface.
- Spread the cream cheese evenly over the top half of the pastry.
- Lay out the ham on top of the cream cheese.
- Fold the dough in half, covering the ham with the other half of the pastry.
- Using a knife, cut the dough into strips but leave a little space at the bottom uncut.
- Twist each strip into a ‘Christmas tree’ shape.
- Carefully place each twisted tree onto wooden skewers.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
- Bake in the oven at 180 degrees C for about 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
These Christmas trees can be served warm or at room temperature. They are perfect as a finger food appetizer. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in the oven.
