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Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

A festive puff pastry tree filled with ham and cheese, twisted to create beautiful branches. Served with optional cheesy mornay sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 sheets puff pastry (320g each).
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
  • 12 slices wafer thin ham.
  • 150g cheddar cheese, finely grated.
  • 1 egg, beaten.
  • Grated parmesan for serving.
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for sauce).
  • 1 tablespoon plain flour (for sauce).
  • 240ml milk (for sauce).
  • 60g gruyere cheese, grated (for sauce).
  • ⅛ teaspoon each salt, white pepper, nutmeg (for sauce).

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F. Keep pastry cold until needed.
  2. Roll out one pastry sheet. Spread with mustard, layer ham and cheese, top with second pastry sheet.
  3. Cut pastry into tree shape. Make 1-inch wide branches. Cut decorations from leftover pastry.
  4. Twist each branch 1-2 times. Work from bottom up, twisting less near top.
  5. Brush with egg wash. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp.
  6. Melt butter, stir in flour. Gradually whisk in milk. Add cheese and seasonings.
  7. Add decorations to tree, dust with parmesan. Serve with sauce.

Notes

Keep pastry cold for best results.
Use finely grated cheese for easier twisting.
Sauce is optional but adds extra flavor.

  • Author: Chef Stella

Nutrition

  • Calories: 816
  • Fat: 57.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54.97 g
  • Protein: 20.7 g