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Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

A festive Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree recipe that's perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 5 slices
Calories 816 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • Rolling Pin
  • baking tray
  • Knife
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

Tree

  • 2 sheets Puff Pastry 320g/11.3oz sheets
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard or as needed
  • 12 slices Wafer Thin Ham
  • 150 g Cheddar finely grated
  • 1 Egg for egg wash beaten
  • Parmesan to serve

Mornay Sauce (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon Butter 15g
  • 1 tablespoon Plain Flour
  • 240 ml Milk or as needed (leave at room temp)
  • 60 g Gruyere grated
  • ⅛ teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon White Pepper or to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg or to taste

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
  • Roll out one of the sheets of pastry and leave it on the baking paper. Spread with a layer of mustard then top with the ham, overlapping as needed. Spread over the cheese then place the second sheet of pastry on top. Gently squish everything down with your hands to secure the filling.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the shape of a Christmas tree, then slice out any shapes from the excess pastry you fancy. Keep the stump at the bottom around 4cm/1.5" wide.
  • Slice the branches around 2.5cm/1" wide and make sure you keep space in the centre. Twist each branch a couple of times as you work closer to the top.
  • Place everything on a baking tray, brush with egg wash then bake for around 15-20 minutes or until deep golden and visibly crisp. The smaller shapes may cook more quickly, so just be vigilant.
  • For the sauce, melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat then stir in the flour to create a roux. Gradually add in the milk, whisking to avoid lumps, then turn off the heat and stir in the cheese. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  • Stick the star and baubles on the tree, dust with parmesan then tuck in and enjoy!

Notes

Puff Pastry should be kept in the fridge until needed, and finer cheese shreds make twisting easier. The Mornay sauce is optional, but adds a delicious dip for the tree.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 816kcalCarbohydrates: 54.97gProtein: 20.7gFat: 57.2gSaturated Fat: 17.685gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6.51gMonounsaturated Fat: 29.132gTrans Fat: 0.359gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 840mgPotassium: 224mgFiber: 1.9gSugar: 1.02gVitamin A: 327IUCalcium: 220mgIron: 3.39mg
Keyword Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree, Christmas appetizer, festive recipes, ham recipes, holiday recipes, Puff Pastry
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