Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Tree Puff Pastry
On the first day of Christmas, I made for my true love and me...
A simply stunning Pastry Christmas Tree.
And he loved it!
Christmas Tree Dessert Made with Puff Pastry
My festive looking Christmas sweet is neither too rich, nor too sweet. Filled with cinnamon sugar and braided into a Christmas tree, this beautiful Christmas pastry is baked into a golden-brown crunchy deliciousness. Each branch can be pulled apart for anyone looking for a less indulgent, after-dinner sweet treat.
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And it's a real snap to make. This pull-apart Christmas Tree sweet:
- Can be made with store bought frozen puff pastry, rough puff pastry block, or pre-rolled frozen puff pastry.
- It can be prepared a day in advance and stored covered in the fridge until ready to bake.
- It can even be baked a day in advance and stored in an air tight box to retain it's crispiness.
How to Make a Christmas Tree Pastry with Cinnamon Sugar
This Christmas tree is so easy to make. The recipe for this Christmas dessert is at the bottom of this post. But here are the steps to making the tree with pictures.
1. Prepare Sugar Filling
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon powder and nutmeg powder.
2. Roll out 2 Sheets of Puff Pastry
Working with cold, refrigerated puff pastry, divide the store bought rough puff pastry into two. Or you can work with 2 sheets of store-bought rolled puff pastry.
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| A 1 lb slab of rough puff pastry that I divide into 2 pieces. |
Roll each piece into approximately 5x7inch rectangle.
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| Roll each piece into a 5x7 inch sheet |
3. Add Filling
Transfer 1 sheet of puff pastry onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Brush melted butter onto the sheet.
Sprinkle liberally with the sugar and spice mixture. You may not need to use the entire quantity. Keep some for sprinkling on later.
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| Sprinkle with sugar and spice mixture |
4. Cover with Second Sheet and Cut out Tree
Place the second sheet of puff pastry over the sugar mixture, in line with the bottom sheet. Press down gently. Sprinkle lightly with a little sugar.
With
a sharp knife, cut out the shape of a Christmas tree and trunk into the
puff pastry sandwich. Remove the excess pastry and retain for later to
make the star.
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| Cover with the second sheet of pastry. Then cut out a shape of a Christmas tree |
5. Cut the Christmas Tree Branches
Lightly score two lines down the center of the tree to form the trunk.
Then cut slits from the trunk outwards all the way down the tree.
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| Lightly trace the trunk of the tree. Then using a sharp knife make slits from the trunk of the tree outwards to create the branches. |
6. Twist the Christmas Tree Branches
Starting form the top of the tree, carefully twist each branch twice and gently press the tip of the branch together lightly. Work all the way down the tree to form all the branches
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| Twist each branch twice |
7. Make the Star
Using a piece of remnant puff pastry, cut out a star for the tree topper. Brush the top of the tree with egg and affix the star to the top of the tree.
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| Cut out a start from the pastry remnants and affix to the top of the tree with a little egg wash. |
8. Finishing Touches
Using a pastry brush, brush the tree, branches, trunk and star with egg wash. Sprinkle with remaining sugar spice mixture.
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| Brush pastry with egg wash and sprinkle on a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. |
9. Bake
Bake in a 400°F pre-heated oven until the tree is golden brown- approximately 20-25 minutes.
The tips of the branches and the tips of the star might start over browning around the 20 minute mark, while the trunk might still require some extra baking time. In which case, cover the areas that are browning faster with strips of foil and bake until the center of the tree is golden brown.
When ready, remove from oven and cool on a rack. Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with glace cherries.
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| After baking, let cool on a wire rack. When cool dust with powdered sugar and decorate with glace cherries. |
Now doesn't that look festive?
Recipe: Christmas Tree Puff Pastry Sweet with Glace Cherries
Ingredients:
Step by Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Sugar Filling
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon powder and nutmeg powder.
2. Roll out 2 Sheets of Puff Pastry
Working with cold, refrigerated puff pastry, divide the store bought rough puff pastry into two.
Roll each piece into approximately 5x7inch rectangle.
3. Add Filling
Transfer 1 sheet of puff pastry onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Brush melted butter onto the sheet.
Sprinkle
liberally with the sugar and spice mixture. You may not need to use the
entire quantity. Keep some for sprinkling on later.
Place the second sheet of puff pastry over the sugar mixture, in line with the bottom sheet. Press down gently. Sprinkle lightly with a little sugar.
4. Make the Christmas Tree
With a sharp knife, cut out the shape of a Christmas tree and trunk into the puff pastry sandwich. Remove the excess pastry and retain for later to make the star.
Draw the trunk lightly into the pastry.
Then cut slits from the trunk outwards all the way down the tree.
Starting form the top of the tree, carefully twist each branch twice and gently press the tip of the branch together lightly. Work all the way down the tree to form all the branches
5. Make the Star
Using a piece of remnant puff pastry, cut out a star for the tree topper. Brush the top of the tree with egg and affix the star to the top of the tree.
6. Finishing Touches
Using a pastry brush, brush the tree, branches, trunk and star with egg wash. Sprinkle with remaining sugar spice mixture.
7. Bake
Bake in a 400°F pre-heated oven until the tree is golden brown- approximately 20-25 minutes.
The
tips of the branches and the tips of the star might start over browning
around the 20 minute mark, while the trunk might still require some
extra baking time. In which case, cover the areas that are browning
faster with strips of foil and bake until the center of the tree is
golden brown.
Related Recipes:
For my other favourite Christmas time recipes that are equally easy to make, try:
Coconut Macaroons with only 4 ingredients!
Marzipan Flowers made with Almond Paste
