There’s something just magical about pulling a golden, flaky puff pastry from the oven, especially when it’s shaped like a festive tree and packed with savory goodness. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe—it’s fun, impressive, and perfect for holiday gatherings or any day you want to add a little sparkle to snack time.

A golden-brown puff pastry shaped like a Christmas tree with a star at the top, featuring five twisted branches on each side filled with a reddish layer of filling. The center trunk and star are sprinkled with mixed seeds, including sesame and pumpkin seeds. The pastry rests on crinkled white parchment paper placed on a white marbled surface, with small bits of gold festive confetti scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m a big fan of recipes that are both simple and striking, and this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree hits that note every time. It’s not just about looks—inside, you get a buttery crunch with layers of rich cheese and savory ham that everyone swoons over.

Show-Stopper Presentation: It looks impressive on the table but comes together in under an hour. Your guests will be asking how you made it!
Quick and Easy: With store-bought puff pastry and simple layering, you can whip this up even when you’re short on time.
Customizable Flavors: You can swap out ham or cheese to match your taste or what you have on hand.
Great for Sharing: The tree shape makes it easy to pull apart and share bite-sized twists with friends and family.

A close-up of several golden puff pastry twists and squares placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface, each pastry showing layers of flaky, crispy dough with visible swirls of filling inside and topped with mixed seeds like pumpkin and sesame seeds. A woman's hand is grabbing one twisted pastry piece from the center, lifting it up. In the background to the right, a white plate holds deviled eggs topped with paprika and herbs, slightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe lies in its perfectly balanced ingredients—the buttery puff pastry crisps up golden while the creamy cheese and salty ham create a rich, satisfying bite. Here’s why each component shines:

Flat lay of two fresh, golden puff pastry sheets neatly stacked, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy herbed Boursin cheese, thin delicate slices of pink prosciutto arranged loosely, a small white bowl with bright orange shredded cheddar cheese, a small white bowl holding a mix of glossy whole seeds, one whole brown egg with a smooth shell, and a small white bowl containing pale milk, all ingredients placed with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Puff Pastry: Flaky and buttery, it’s the perfect base that puffs up beautifully—store-bought saves time and still delivers delicious results.
Boursin Cheese (or herbed cream cheese): Its creamy texture and herbaceous punch add a flavorful richness that melts into the ham.
Prosciutto (or salami or capocollo): I love prosciutto for its delicate saltiness and tenderness, but any cured ham you prefer works great.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and helps bind the layers together with a melty finish.
Mixed Seeds: These give a lovely crunch on top and add visual appeal—the more rustic, the better in my book!
Egg Wash (egg + milk): Brushing this over the pastry ensures an irresistible golden-brown shimmer.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you swap cheeses, add spices, or get playful with the shape, it’s all about having fun and making something delicious that suits your style.

Variation: I sometimes add some chopped fresh rosemary or thyme to the cheese spread for an earthy twist that pairs beautifully with the ham.
Dietary tweak: For a vegetarian version, swap the ham for roasted veggies or sautéed mushrooms.
Spicy kick: Sprinkle some chili flakes into the cheese layer if you like a bit of heat—it’s a sneaky surprise that wakes up your palate.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pastry Base

First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Then, gently unroll one puff pastry sheet on your work surface—if it feels too warm and soft, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. This helps avoid sticking and makes cutting cleaner.

Step 2: Layer the Flavors

Spread the Boursin cheese evenly over the first pastry sheet—think of it like adding a blanket of creamy goodness. Next, layer your prosciutto slices on top, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar. These layers come together to create that perfect blend of textures and flavors.

Step 3: Top and Cut Your Tree

Place the second sheet of puff pastry over the top, gently pressing down so it sticks to your delicious filling without squeezing everything out. Using a sharp knife, cut a large triangle shape—this will be your tree.

Save any extra dough to create a little trunk at the base or bite-sized festive shapes with cookie cutters. This little detail elevates the presentation and makes it feel more magical.

Step 4: Make the Twists

From the bottom up, cut slits about every 3 cm on both sides of the triangle, leaving the center intact. Now, twist each strip gently away from the center spine. Take it easy here; you want nice twists without tearing or spilling the filling.

Step 5: Brush, Sprinkle, and Bake

Mix your egg with a tablespoon of milk and brush the entire tree generously—this is what gives it that irresistible golden shine. Then, sprinkle mixed seeds over the top for crunch and a festive look. Pop it in the oven for about 25 minutes until it’s puffed, golden, and smelling like holiday heaven.

Top Tip

From making this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few key tricks that help ensure your Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree comes out perfectly every time—and trust me, that golden puff is worth it!

Keep It Cool: Puff pastry is happiest when cold—if your kitchen is warm, keep the dough chilled and work quickly to retain that flakiness.
Don’t Over Twist: Gentle twists prevent the filling from oozing out too much and keep those beautiful layers intact.
Egg Wash Magic: Brushing egg wash not only browns the pastry but also helps seeds stick better—don’t skip this!
Watch Your Bake Time: Ovens vary, so start checking around 20 minutes for a nice golden color and puff—you want it crisp but not burnt.

How to Serve Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

Ham and Cheese Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—some fresh rosemary sprigs around the base add a lovely pine scent that complements the Christmas tree theme. A dusting of grated parmesan on top before baking adds a little extra savory kick I adore.

Side Dishes

This puff pastry tree pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a bowl of warm tomato soup for a cozy, crowd-pleasing combo. If you're serving at a party, roasted nuts or olives alongside make great finger food companions.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served this on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh cranberries and holly leaves for a festive feel. Another year, I added edible gold dust over the seeds for some extra sparkle at a holiday brunch—it was a real conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When I reheat, I place the pastry back in a warm oven to maintain that crisp texture instead of microwaving, which tends to make it soggy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked tree before by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and baking straight from frozen—it just takes a few extra minutes in the oven. It’s a lifesaver when you want your festive snack ready-to-go for last-minute guests.

Reheating

To refresh the leftovers, I reheat them at 180°C (350°F) for 5–10 minutes until the pastry is crackling again. Avoid microwaving if you can—it just doesn’t do justice to puff pastry’s flaky magic.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the tree and keep it wrapped and refrigerated for up to a day before baking. Just remember to brush with egg wash and add seeds just before popping it in the oven for the best golden finish.

What can I substitute if I don’t have Boursin cheese?

A herbed cream cheese is a perfect substitute if you don’t have Boursin; it offers the same creamy texture and herb flavor to keep your tree deliciously flavorful.

Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?

Absolutely! Salami, capocollo, or even thinly sliced turkey or chicken work wonderfully. Choose what you like or have on hand to customize the flavor profile.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out during baking?

Be gentle when twisting the strips and avoid overfilling during assembly. Press the top and bottom pastry sheets together firmly to seal the edges well, and don’t twist too hard. Following these steps keeps the filling snug inside the tree’s layers.

Final Thoughts

This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe is one of those dishes that brings smiles and a little wow-factor to any gathering. I still remember the first time I made it for a holiday party—guests were so impressed they couldn’t stop nibbling! Give it a try; I promise you’ll enjoy every buttery, cheesy bite and might even end up making it a new tradition.