Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

Ham and cheese are layered between two puff pastry sheets, then cut into strips and folded into eight individual Christmas trees. Each strip forms horizontal accordion branches that widen toward the base, with a skewer through the center to hold the shape.

Keep the pastry cold and the filling thin so the trees are easier to fold and less likely to leak. Bake until the thickest folds are golden and flaky, then add the cheese stars after a short cooling period so they keep their shape.

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

• 2 frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed but cold (about 17.3 ounces; 490g total)
• 6 ounces thinly sliced deli ham (170g)
• 6 ounces sliced Swiss or provolone cheese (170g)
• 2 ounces sliced orange cheddar or similar cheese, or enough to cut 8 small stars (55g)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus a few small sprigs if desired (optional)
• 8 wooden appetizer skewers, about 8 inches long

Sliced cheese stays in place more easily while folding. Grated cheese can also be used for the filling, but keep the layer thin to limit spillover.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

1. Prepare the oven and pan: Fully preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Keep the thawed pastry cold until you are ready to assemble.
2. Layer the filling: Lay one pastry sheet flat. Arrange the ham and filling cheese in a thin, even layer, keeping them away from the outer edges. Top with the second pastry sheet and press gently together.
3. Cut the strips: Cut the filled pastry into 8 long strips of roughly equal width. If the pastry becomes soft or difficult to handle, chill it briefly before shaping.
4. Fold the trees: Fold each strip back and forth into a horizontal accordion, making narrow folds at the top and progressively wider folds toward the base. Leave a little space between folds so the pastry can puff.
5. Add the skewers: Thread a wooden skewer through the center of each folded tree without pressing the branches flat. Place the trees on the prepared sheet with room between them, and keep the skewer ends from touching the oven walls.
6. Brush and bake: Beat the egg with the water and lightly brush the exposed pastry. Bake uncovered, starting to check around 18 minutes. Allow about 20 to 25 minutes total, until the pastry is puffed and golden and the thickest center folds look baked through and flaky. If your oven browns unevenly, rotate the sheet once near the middle of baking.
7. Add the stars: Cut 8 small stars from the orange cheese with a star-shaped cutter. Let the baked trees cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then place a star at the top of each, threading it onto the skewer if it extends above the pastry. Add a few thyme leaves, if using, and handle the skewers carefully.

How to Keep the Pastry Trees Shaped

These trees are folded into zigzags, not cut as flat silhouettes. Keep the filling centered within each strip and the pastry cool enough to handle. A skewer threaded through the center before baking holds the widening branches in place without stopping them from puffing.

Tree size and oven behavior can affect the baking time. Check the thicker folds as well as the outer edges; if the centers still look pale or soft, leave the trees in the oven until they are golden and flaky.

Serving and Storing the Trees

Arrange the trees on a platter with the stars visible and the skewers pointing down. Serve warm or soon after baking for the flakiest pastry. Mustard can be offered in a small bowl for dipping.

For leftovers, let the trees cool and refrigerate them in a covered container. The pastry will soften during storage. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through; the time will depend on their size and how cold they are. Avoid the microwave if crisp pastry is important. Freezing results are uncertain, so freezing is not recommended here.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per tree, based on 8 trees and including the egg wash and cheese stars: 480 calories, 17g protein, 33g fat, and 32g carbohydrates. Approximate nutrition per 100g: 425 calories, 15g protein, 29g fat, and 28g carbohydrates. Values vary with the puff pastry, ham, and cheeses used.