Get in the holiday spirit with this delicious Nutella-stuffed puff pastry Christmas tree. It’s only three ingredients, and all your friends and family will love it!
This recipe is for all my non-bakers out there (I see you!). If you’re looking for an effortless, yet stunning dessert to display on the table, you’re in the right place. This puff pastry Christmas tree is so easy to throw together last minute, and you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry already. Kids especially love this dessert, but regardless of your age, it’s so fun to tear off the branches and take a big, chocolatey bite!
Looking for a seasonal variation? These puff pastry Nutella twists are just as tasty and perfect for any time of the year!
How To Make a Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
I don’t know about you, but Christmas is a chaotic time for my family. Take a 30-minute break from the stress and follow these simple steps for a lil’ sweet treat — you deserve it!
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 415°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry: Roll out the sheets of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface until they are even in thickness.
- Assemble the tree: Place one sheet of puff pastry on the baking sheet. Warm the Nutella in the microwave for 15 seconds, then spread it on the pastry. Top it with the second puff pastry sheet and cut it into the shape of a tree. Slice branches on both sides, then twist them into spirals (if the written directions are confusing, check out the pictures below!).
- Bake the puff pastry: Brush the tree with the egg wash and bake it for 20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Hot tip: Make a star out of the dough scraps and place it on top of the tree for a festive pop!
Tips From the Kitchen
As if this recipe wasn’t easy-peasy enough, I have a few tips for you! Handle the puff pastry gently and add your favorite fillings for a taste of holiday cheer.
- Roll out the puff pastry evenly. You don’t need to roll it out super thin — just try to get the two sheets of pastry the same size.
- Warm up the Nutella. Nutella is a thick spread, so place it in a microwave-safe bowl and zap it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to make spreading easier.
- Keep the puff pastry cold. For ultimate flakiness, work quickly and handle the dough minimally. The cold butter in the dough is responsible for all those wonderful flaky layers.
- Slice the branches carefully. Use a sharp paring knife or pizza wheel to make clean cuts. Avoid squishing the pastry, as the Nutella will ooze out.
- Make it your own! I like to keep things simple, but feel free to get as creative as your heart desires with the fillings. For a fruity variation, use raspberry jam or strawberry jam instead of Nutella. Or, get nutty and use your favorite nut butter with a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios, pecans, or hazelnuts. Give the baked tree a fresh snowfall of powdered sugar to make it even prettier.
Storage & Reheating
I recommend enjoying the puff pastry immediately for the best flaky texture. If you end up with leftovers, here’s a guide for indulging in them again later!
- Storage: Store the leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
- Reheating: Reheat the leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or use the microwave for quicker (but less flaky) results.
More Puff Pastry Recipes
- Puff Pastry Pear Tartlets — Juicy, tender pears are the star
- Puff Pastry Cheese Turnovers — Filled with sweet farmer’s cheese
- Apple Turnovers — An easier version of mini apple pies
- Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry — Dijon, ham and cheddar cheese layered and baked into puff pastry squares
- Baked Brie — Creamy baked brie topped with fig jam and enveloped in puff pastry
- Apple Tarts — Gorgeous tartlets with a yummy secret ingredient
Recipe
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 415°F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out both sheets of the puff pastry. Place one sheet on a lined baking sheet.
- Warm the Nutella in the microwave for about 15 seconds, then spread it evenly over the puff pastry on the baking sheet.
- Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the Nutella. Cut the dough into the shape of a tree. Make slices on both sides of the tree to form the branches, keeping each branch similar in size.
- Twist each strip of dough into a spiral. Optionally, cut out little stars with the excess dough to decorate the tree. Brush the tree with the egg wash.
- Bake it for 20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown. Let it cool slightly and enjoy!
Made this today! Came out great. Got so many compliments from my family. So simple to make aswell!
Hi Maz, this makes me so happy! I love that its so easy and yet impressive. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. Happy Holidays!
Cool idea! I definitely need to shorten the baking time and/or turn down the temp next time, though. It got burned, even at 17 min.
Thanks for giving it a try! It sounds like your oven might run a bit hot—sometimes they can vary. Next time, you could try reducing the temperature by 25°F and checking for doneness a little earlier. Let me know how it turns out!
Do you think this would work well if made with your poppy seed filling?
Oh that would be delicious! Great idea!