Ingredients (for 4-6 people)
1 roll of rectangular puff pastry (ready-made)
100 g of cream cheese (such as Philadelphia or stracchino)
100 g of cooked ham (or smoked salmon, if you prefer)
Preparation
- Prepare the base of the tree
Preheat the oven to 180°C (static).
Roll out the puff pastry roll on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Using a knife, cut the puff pastry into the shape of a Christmas tree. You can do this simply by making a triangle for the body of the tree and adding small triangles to form the branches. - Prepare the filling
Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on half of the puff pastry, leaving the edges free.
Add the cooked ham (cut into strips) on top of the cheese. - Assemble and bake
Fold the other half of the puff pastry over the filling, gently pressing the edges to seal well.
Using a knife, make small cuts in the puff pastry to form the “branches” of the tree, leaving the central part intact.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and puffed up. - Serve
Once cooked, let it cool for a few minutes and then you can serve your appetizer in the shape of a Christmas tree, perhaps decorating with a little sauce or black olives to make the “balls” on the tree.
Tips
You can vary the filling: instead of cooked ham, you can use smoked salmon, grilled vegetables or even different cheeses such as mozzarella and speck.
If you want to add a touch of color, you can decorate with some fresh rocket or cherry tomatoes once the tree is ready.
This Christmas tree-shaped puff pastry appetizer is perfect for the holidays: it’s very quick to prepare and very scenic!
