Welcome to a truly magical holiday treat that’s as simple to make as it is delightful to look at! This Christmas tree Nutella recipe transforms basic puff pastry into a festive, chocolatey showstopper. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a beautiful pull-apart pastry in no time. It’s the perfect holiday treat for family gatherings or a charming edible gift, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Tree Nutella Recipe
You will adore this delightful Christmas tree Nutella recipe for so many reasons. Its visually stunning presentation instantly adds festive cheer to any table. The pull-apart style makes it fun and interactive for everyone to enjoy. Preparing this holiday pastry is incredibly easy, suitable for all skill levels, even beginners. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and family-friendly dessert that disappears quickly. Best of all, its quick baking time makes it perfect for busy holiday schedules.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients for this festive creation is incredibly simple. You only need a few staple items to bring this wonderful Christmas tree Nutella recipe to life.
- 1 sheet puff pastry (approx. 300g): The foundation for our flaky tree.
- Plain flour: For dusting your work surface and preventing sticking.
- 250g Nutella: The star filling, providing rich hazelnut chocolate flavor.
- 1 egg: For a beautiful, golden egg wash.
Notes & Substitutions
Using pre-made puff pastry is a fantastic time-saver, making this recipe incredibly convenient. If Nutella isn’t your preference, feel free to substitute with other chocolate hazelnut spreads, Biscoff spread, or even a simple chocolate ganache. The egg wash gives your pastry a gorgeous golden shine and helps it crisp up beautifully. For an egg-free alternative, a milk wash can achieve a similar golden hue. Get creative by adding mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of dried cranberries to the Nutella before folding for extra texture and flavor.
The popular hazelnut spread, Nutella, was first created in Italy by Ferrero in 1964, though its origins trace back to a chocolate substitute developed during wartime shortages. Learn more about the history of Nutella.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy tools to create this stunning Christmas tree Nutella recipe. Most of these items are likely already in your kitchen.
- Baking parchment or greaseproof paper
- A baking tray
- A sharp knife or pizza cutter
- A pastry brush
- A dinner plate or a paper template for shaping
- A small star cookie cutter (optional, for the tree topper)
Instructions
Creating your festive Christmas tree Nutella recipe is a fun and easy process. Follow these step-by-step instructions to bake a beautiful, pull-apart pastry that everyone will adore.
- Remove the puff pastry from the fridge about 10-15 minutes before starting. Preheat your oven to 200ºC (400ºF / Gas mark 6). Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
- Lightly dust your clean work surface with plain flour. Carefully unroll the sheet of puff pastry onto the floured surface.
- Evenly spread the 250g of Nutella over one half of the puff pastry sheet. Make sure to leave a small border around the edges.
- Gently fold the other half of the puff pastry over the Nutella-covered side, like closing a book. Press down lightly to seal the edges.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, carefully cut the folded pastry into a large triangle shape to form the base of your Christmas tree. You can use a dinner plate as a template if you wish.
- Along the diagonal edges of your pastry triangle, cut horizontal strips towards the center, leaving an uncut strip down the middle to form the tree trunk. Each strip should be about 1-2 cm wide.
- Take each pastry strip and gently twist it around itself, creating spirals for the branches. Ensure you twist them in the same direction for a uniform look.
- From the leftover puff pastry scraps, use a small star cookie cutter to cut out a star shape. Place this star at the very top of your twisted Christmas tree.
- Gently whisk the egg with a fork in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, carefully brush the whisked egg over the entire surface of the pastry tree. This will give it a beautiful golden shine.
- Carefully transfer the pastry tree onto your prepared baking tray.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
- Once baked, remove the tray from the oven. Let the Christmas tree Nutella recipe cool slightly on the baking tray before carefully transferring it to a wire rack or serving platter.
- This treat is best enjoyed straight from the oven while still warm and flaky, but it is also delicious at room temperature.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect puff pastry flakiness by keeping the pastry cold until you’re ready to use it. If your kitchen is warm, work quickly. Don’t discard leftover pastry scraps! You can cut them into shapes, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake for mini treats. For an extra golden shine, ensure an even layer of egg wash. To prevent a soggy bottom crust, make sure your oven is fully preheated to the specified temperature, which helps the pastry bake quickly and evenly from the bottom up. For consistent baking, avoid opening the oven door too frequently. You can prepare this festive Nutella pastry ahead of time by assembling it, then refrigerating it for a few hours before baking.
The science behind beautifully puffed and flaky pastry involves high baking temperatures, which cause the water in the dough layers to turn to steam, creating those distinct layers. To understand more about the science of flaky layers in puff pastry, explore the intricacies of this delicate dough.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile Christmas tree Nutella recipe offers many delightful possibilities for serving and adapting.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your delicious Christmas tree Nutella recipe warm from the oven for the ultimate experience. The warm Nutella is truly irresistible. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra special treat. For a festive touch, dust it with powdered sugar (like snow) or garnish with orange slices or fresh berries.
Storage & Make Ahead
Store any leftover baked Nutella tree in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, place it in a preheated oven at 160ºC (325ºF) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp. You can prepare the tree up to the egg wash step, then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. For longer storage, you can freeze the unbaked tree for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed.
Variations
Explore different flavors! For a cinnamon sugar option, mix 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of sugar and sprinkle it over the Nutella before folding. Try savoury fillings like pesto and cheese, or even cooked spinach and feta for a delicious appetizer. Other sweet ideas include spreading with jam, mincemeat, or apple butter. Add extra textures by sprinkling chopped pecans, mini marshmallows, or colorful sprinkles on top of the Nutella before baking.
Nutrition
This Christmas tree Nutella recipe provides a delicious treat, perfect for special occasions. A single serving (approximately 1/8th of the tree) is estimated to contain around 300-350 calories. It primarily contributes carbohydrates from the pastry and sugar, fats from the Nutella and pastry, and a small amount of protein. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and ingredient quantities used.
| Nutrient | Estimated Value (per 1/8th tree) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300-350 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 30-40g |
| Fat | 20-25g |
| Protein | 4-6g |
FAQ
Should I egg wash puff pastry?
Yes, egg washing puff pastry is highly recommended. It helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and a lovely shiny finish. If you prefer, a milk wash can give similar results.
Do you bake puff pastry before filling?
For this Christmas tree Nutella recipe, you do not need to pre-bake the puff pastry before filling. The pastry and Nutella bake perfectly together. Pre-baking is typically only necessary for very wet fillings.
Why is the bottom of my puff pastry soggy?
A soggy bottom can happen if the oven isn’t hot enough, if the filling is too wet, or if the pastry sits on a cold baking sheet. Ensure your oven is fully preheated and use a hot baking sheet.
At what temperature do you bake puff pastry?
Puff pastry bakes best at a high temperature, typically around 200ºC (400ºF). The high heat helps the pastry puff up quickly and become wonderfully flaky.
Can Nutella Puff Pastry be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire Christmas tree Nutella recipe and then refrigerate it for several hours or even overnight before baking. This makes holiday entertaining much easier.
How do you keep puff pastry warm for a party?
To keep it warm, loosely tent the baked pastry with foil and place it in a turned-off oven. For best crispness, serve it as soon as possible after baking.
Conclusion
This easy Christmas tree Nutella recipe is truly a holiday delight, combining festive visuals with irresistible flavor. Its simplicity and beginner-friendly steps make it a perfect project for anyone looking to add a touch of magic to their seasonal celebrations. Whether for a family gathering or a charming gift, this pull-apart treat is guaranteed to bring joy. We hope you create lasting memories with this delicious and fun holiday staple. Happy baking!
