Basil Pesto Cheesy Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe
Introduction
Few appetizers say “celebrate” like this Basil Pesto Cheesy Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe. Flaky, golden layers of puff pastry are twirled with fresh basil pesto and gooey, melty cheese, then shaped into a stunning Christmas tree that’s both eye-catching and delicious. Whether entertaining a crowd or sprucing up your holiday table, this festive treat combines show-stopping presentation with unbeatable flavor.
Why Make a Basil Pesto Cheesy Puff Pastry Christmas Tree?
This recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser: crisp pastry, aromatic basil, and oozy cheese, all in an easy-to-share pull-apart format. It comes together with minimal ingredients and effort, but the end result looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or a festive family afternoon, it’s a savory appetizer that’s as fun to assemble as it is to eat.
Crafting Your Festive Puff Pastry Tree
No special skills required! Just layer pesto and cheese between two sheets of puff pastry, slice and twist to create “branches,” and bake until golden. The secret is brushing the tree with a touch of egg wash, which creates a shiny, bakery-style crust—guaranteed to catch everyone’s eye. Customize with your favorite cheese blend for even richer flavor.
Serving Suggestions for a Party-Ready Appetizer
Serve this showstopper on a festive platter with a bowl of marinara or even more pesto for dipping. It pairs beautifully with sparkling drinks, roasted veggies, or as part of a larger holiday spread. For a fun touch, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and toasted pine nuts before serving.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 8-10 generous servings. Each serving typically contains around 270-320 calories, depending on the cheese and pesto used—a tasty treat to enjoy with family and friends during special occasions!
Your Basil Pesto Cheesy Puff Pastry Christmas Tree (Recap)
With buttery pastry, vibrant pesto, and stretchy cheese, this festive appetizer brings together everything you love about party food in one gorgeous holiday package. Simple to make and always a hit—what more could you ask for at your Christmas gathering?
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient holiday grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out both puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface until they’re roughly equal in size and large enough to cut a Christmas tree shape (about 12×9 inches).
- Spread the basil pesto evenly over one sheet of pastry, all the way to the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Place the second puff pastry sheet on top, pressing down lightly to seal.
- With a sharp knife or pizza wheel, cut out a large Christmas tree shape, saving the trimmed pastry for stars or decorations if desired.
- On both sides of the tree trunk, cut horizontal “branches” about 1-inch apart, leaving the center intact. Gently twist each branch a couple of times for a spiral effect.
- If you made extra stars or shapes from the trimmings, place them around the tree.
- Beat the egg and brush over the entire tree and any decorations for a golden crust.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- Cool slightly, then serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or pine nuts if you wish.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Basil Pesto Cheesy Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a festive favorite for party planning and special occasions. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planner to automatically create a custom shopping list and coordinate ingredients with your other holiday dishes.
Planning Benefits:
– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
– Makes weekly meal prep and party planning simple and stress-free
Pro tip: When planning your holiday menu, schedule your recipes to save time and avoid food waste—CookifyAI combines ingredients across dishes (like eggs or cheese), so you always buy the right amount.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Enjoy an appetizer that’s as merry and bright as your holiday table—happy baking!





