Christmas Tree Puff Pastry (Sweet Version)

Ingredients

• 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
• 1/2 cup chocolate spread (Nutella, ganache, or melted chocolate) or fruit jam (strawberry/raspberry for a festive touch)
• 1 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
• 1 tbsp coarse sugar (for sprinkling, optional)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • Roll out both puff pastry sheets so they’re the same size.
2. Assemble the Layers:
   • Place one sheet on the baking sheet.
   • Spread chocolate (or jam) evenly across it, leaving a small border around the edges.
   • Place the second puff pastry sheet on top and press gently.
3. Cut the Tree Shape:
   • With a sharp knife, cut out a large triangle (tree shape).
   • Remove the extra pastry around it (you can bake scraps separately as little snacks).
4. Make the Branches:
   • Starting from the sides of the tree, cut horizontal strips about 1 inch apart, leaving a vertical line down the center intact.
   • Twist each strip gently 2–3 times to form branches.
5. Bake the Tree:
   • Brush with melted butter.
   • Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
   • Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
6. Decorate & Serve:
   • Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
   • Add small candy pieces or colored sprinkles if you’d like ornaments.
   • Serve warm and pull apart the branches to share!

💡 Tips

• For a two-tone look, use half chocolate spread and half jam when layering.
• Add crushed nuts (pistachios, almonds, or hazelnuts) inside for extra crunch.
• This works well with savory fillings too (pesto, cheese, garlic butter) if you want variety.