PESTO and PARMESAN CHRISTMAS TREES, 5-minute Christmas appetizer, a delicious recipe perfect for Christmas lunch and parties, a tasty and simple idea with puff pastry.
I was looking for a cute, simple, and quick idea to bring a touch of Christmas to the table, and here they are: pesto and parmesan trees with puff pastry, a delicious Christmas appetizer that can be made in a few minutes but makes an incredible impression.
Perfect for a holiday aperitif, Christmas lunch, or as a tasty idea for a savory buffet, these little trees are crunchy on the outside, fragrant with pesto, and have that melting parmesan touch that wins everyone over at the first bite.
Puff pastry is a joker in the kitchen: with a single roll, you can prepare many different variations, and the beauty is that it cooks in minutes. The contrast between the golden pastry, the scent of Genoese pesto, and the strong taste of parmesan makes these savory trees irresistible.
They are so simple that you can make them with children too, a fun way to experience the Christmas atmosphere in the kitchen without stress and with lots of creativity.
You can serve them as Christmas finger food, skewered on wooden sticks or arranged on a serving plate with rosemary sprigs for a scenic effect. And if you want to vary, try with red pesto, speck, prosciutto, or creamy cheeses: every version is a celebration!
Follow me in the kitchen today; we have pesto and parmesan trees.
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 roll puff pastry (rectangular)
- 100 Genoese pesto
- 1 oz grated parmesan
- sliced almonds
Steps
Cut the pastry with a 3-inch cutter, prick with a fork, and bake in the oven at 356°F for about 10-12 minutes or in the fryer at 338°F for 7-8 minutes, turning them.
Remove from the oven and fill with a thin layer of ready pesto, add a sprinkle of parmesan and sliced almonds.
Add some red currants for color and serve.
Bon appétit
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PESTO and PARMESAN CHRISTMAS TREES 5-minute appetizer
Extra tips
Use ready-made rectangular puff pastry, so it’s easier to cut and shape the trees.
For a “snow” effect, sprinkle with a little parmesan or sesame seeds before baking.
If you want to make them in advance, you can bake and reheat them in the oven a few minutes before serving.
Great also in mini version as snacks for the Christmas aperitif.
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FAQ PESTO and PARMESAN CHRISTMAS TREES 5-minute appetizer
How to store pesto and parmesan trees?
Store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days, then heat them in the oven for a few minutes to make them crispy again.
Can I use another cheese instead of parmesan?
Sure! Try with grana, pecorino, or milder cheeses like scamorza or caciocavallo.
Can they be made without pesto?
Yes, you can replace it with a sun-dried tomato cream, olive cream, or herb butter for new variations.
Can they be frozen?
Better not, cooked puff pastry tends to lose its crispiness: prepare only as many as you need.
Can I replace the puff pastry?
Of course, you can use brisée pastry or a ready pizza dough.
