Nutella Puff Pastry Trees (Print Version)

Golden puff pastry shaped as festive Christmas trees filled with creamy Nutella and baked crisp.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 2 sheets puff pastry (approx. 8.8 oz each), thawed if frozen

→ Filling

02 - 4.2 oz Nutella or chocolate-hazelnut spread

→ Finish

03 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
04 - 1 tbsp powdered sugar (optional for dusting)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Unroll both sheets of puff pastry. Spread Nutella evenly over one sheet, leaving a 0.4-inch border.
03 - Place the second puff pastry sheet on top to sandwich the Nutella evenly.
04 - Using a sharp knife or tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out tree shapes approximately 5–6 inches tall. Re-roll scraps to form additional trees as desired.
05 - Transfer the trees to the prepared baking tray. Carefully cut horizontal slits along each side of the trees, leaving the center trunk intact. Gently twist each branch for a decorative appearance.
06 - Brush the surfaces of each tree with the beaten egg to promote golden color during baking.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until pastries are puffed and golden brown.
08 - Allow pastries to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They come together in under 40 minutes, which means you can make them the morning of a gathering without losing your mind.
  • The contrast between crispy, golden pastry and that soft, melty Nutella center is genuinely addictive.
  • They look impressive enough to impress guests but are honestly so simple that even a stressed holiday cook can nail them.
02 -
  • Don't skip thawing your puff pastry at room temperature; rushing it will cause it to crack and separate before you've even started.
  • The Nutella needs to be spread with a light hand—too much and it'll ooze out everywhere during baking, creating a delicious mess but potentially soggy bottoms.
  • Those twisted branches aren't just decorative; they actually puff up differently than the trunk, creating this beautiful textured effect that happens naturally.
03 -
  • Keep your knife damp between cuts when shaping—it prevents the pastry from sticking and makes cleaner, more elegant trees.
  • If your Nutella seems too stiff straight from the jar, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly, making it spread like a dream.
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