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Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

This Cheesy Ham Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is a festive and delicious way to celebrate the holidays.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Christmas
Servings 5 servings
Calories 816 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • Baking tray
  • sharp knife
  • small pot
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

Tree

  • 2 sheets Puff Pastry each sheet 320g/11.3oz
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard or as needed
  • 12 slices Wafer Thin Ham
  • 150 g Cheddar finely grated
  • 1 whole Egg beaten for egg wash
  • Parmesan to serve (the fresh dusty kind)

Mornay Sauce (optional)

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

Instructions
 

Steps

  • 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, or just once 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.
  • 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 as you go 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

Keep the pastry in the fridge right until needed for best results. Use finer shreds of cheese for easier twisting of branches.

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, Festive Recipes, Holiday Appetizer, Savory Pastry
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