Let me share one of my all-time favorite festive treats: the Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe. It’s a delicious, buttery, and cheesy centerpiece that turns any gathering into an instant holiday party. The flakey layers and savory filling make it truly unforgettable.

A golden-brown pastry shaped like a Christmas tree with multiple twisted branches, each branch showing layers of flaky dough and a reddish filling inside. The tree has five twisted sections on each side, and the base is a thick rectangular pastry piece. The surface is sprinkled with various seeds, including pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, giving it a textured look. The pastry rests on crumpled white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Small shiny confetti pieces are 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

This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe is not only eye-catching but super simple to make. It's one of those “wow” appetizers that feels fancy but comes together faster than you’d expect—perfect for last-minute celebrations or impressing your guests.

Festive Fun: It looks like a Christmas tree, adding a playful holiday touch to your table.
Easy Assembly: No complicated dough from scratch—just puff pastry and layering ingredients you probably already love.
Flavor Packed: The combo of Boursin cheese, ham, and cheddar creates a creamy, savory bite in every flaky layer.
Great Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone’s drawn to it, and it’s easy to share — perfect for holiday entertaining.

A close-up of a golden brown puff pastry twists and square pieces laid on crinkled white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. The puff pastry showing flaky, crispy layers with a glossy baked top, some topped with mixed seeds including pumpkin and sesame seeds, spread evenly. A woman's hand is picking up one twisted puff pastry piece, showing the soft, airy texture inside with visible bits of filling. On the side, there is a white plate holding halved deviled eggs garnished with a yellow creamy filling, sprinkle of red paprika, and green herbs. The warm tones of the pastry contrast with the bright colors of the eggs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are a dream team for savory bite-sized indulgence. Puff pastry brings that irresistible crispiness and flaky texture, while creamy Boursin cheese adds richness and herbs for fresh notes. Then the salty prosciutto and melting cheddar tie everything together, balancing creaminess with a smoky bite.

Flat lay of two smooth, golden sheets of puff pastry laid flat, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy white herbed Boursin cheese with visible green herbs, several thin slices of pink prosciutto folded loosely, a small white bowl holding bright orange shredded cheddar cheese, a small white bowl with mixed brown and beige seeds, and two whole uncracked brown eggs placed side by side, placed 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: Choose good-quality frozen sheets; thaw them gently to keep their layers intact.
Boursin Cheese: This herbed cream cheese adds flavor and creaminess, but feel free to swap with your favorite soft cheese.
Prosciutto: I love prosciutto for its delicate saltiness; salami or capocollo work great too for a bit more spice.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharpness here is key—it melts beautifully and adds a punch of flavor.
Mixed Seeds: These add a lovely crunch on top and make the tree look even more festive.
Egg Wash: A simple mix of egg and milk, it gives the pastry that gorgeous golden shine.

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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

One of the things I love about this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Play with the fillings or toppings based on what you like or have in your fridge, and it always turns out beautifully.

Variation: I’ve swapped prosciutto for smoked salmon and it was surprisingly delicious—just as festive, but with a seafood twist.
Cheese Swaps: Feel free to try Gruyère or fontina instead of cheddar for a different flavor profile.
Seeds and Garnishes: I often add poppy or sesame seeds for extra crunch, but chopped fresh rosemary or thyme sprinkled on top can make it smell incredible.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pastry

Start by heating your oven to 180°C (350°F) and lining a baking tray with parchment paper—that way, nothing sticks and cleanup’s a breeze. Let the puff pastry sheets thaw just enough so they’re flexible but still cold; this helps keep their layers separated for a perfect crisp.

Step 2: Layer the Goodness

Open one sheet of puff pastry on a clean surface. Spread an even layer of Boursin cheese over it—don’t be shy, it’s the creamy heart of this tree. Then carefully layer your prosciutto slices, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar. The combination should be balanced but not so thick it’s hard to close.

Step 3: Seal It and Shape

Place the second sheet of puff pastry gently over the filling. Press lightly to seal the edges, keeping the filling inside. Using a sharp knife, cut a large triangle shape—this will be your tree. Don’t toss the leftover dough; use some scraps to create a little “trunk” at the base or get creative with cookie cutters for extra decorations.

Step 4: Create the Tree Branches

Starting at the bottom of your triangle, make slits about every 3 cm along each side, leaving the center intact to keep your tree stable. Twist each strip gently to reveal the layers of cheese and ham inside—this step is where the magic happens, giving the pastry texture and an irresistible look. Be gentle so the filling doesn’t spill out.

Step 5: Brush and Sprinkle

Brush the entire tree with egg wash for a glossy, golden finish when baked. Then sprinkle your mixed seeds all over the top—they add that perfect festive crunch and make the tree look extra special.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the pastry tree into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until it’s puffed up and beautifully golden. Keep an eye on it near the end; over-baking can dry it out, so trust your eyes more than the timer.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe a dozen times, and a few little tricks always make a huge difference. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Keep Pastry Cold: It’s tempting to rush, but working with cold pastry keeps it flaky and prevents sogginess.
Don’t Over-Twist: Just one or two gentle twists per strip—over-twisting can squeeze out the filling and make a mess.
Use a Sharp Knife: A clean, sharp blade ensures smooth cuts, so your tree branches look neat and bake evenly.
Egg Wash Evenly: Brush all edges and sides well for an even golden color and eye-catching shine.

How to Serve Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

Ham and Cheese Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to garnish my tree with a sprinkle of fresh thyme right after baking—it adds a subtle herbaceous aroma that pairs perfectly with the cheesy filling. Sometimes, I also add a drizzle of honey mustard dip on the side, which gives a sweet-spicy contrast that my guests adore.

Side Dishes

Because this tree is quite rich, I usually serve it with simple sides like a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some roasted root vegetables. A bowl of cranberry chutney on the side adds a lovely festive tartness that brightens each bite too.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I mounted my puff pastry Christmas tree on a big wooden cutting board surrounded by colorful radish and carrot ribbons. Another time, I added mini edible “ornaments” by dotting small cherry tomatoes and olives across the twisted branches—it looked whimsical and festive and was a big hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Even cold, the puff pastry holds onto its flavor, but the texture softens slightly. Reheating helps bring back some crispiness.

Freezing

If you want to make this tree ahead of time, you can freeze it raw—just assemble it, freeze on a tray until solid, then wrap well and store. When you're ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To reheat, pop your leftover tree in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes. This revives that golden, flaky crust much better than a microwave, which can make it soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other meats besides prosciutto?

Absolutely! You can swap prosciutto for salami, capocollo, or even ham slices depending on what you prefer or have on hand. Each brings its own unique flavor, so feel free to mix it up.

Is Boursin cheese necessary, or can I substitute it?

While Boursin adds a wonderful herby creaminess, you can use any herbed cream cheese, or even a mix of cream cheese with garlic and fresh herbs. The key is keeping the filling soft and flavorful.

Can I prepare this tree in advance?

Yes! You can assemble the entire tree and freeze it raw. When you want to bake, just thaw it slightly and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time for best results.

How do I keep the pastry from getting soggy?

Make sure your puff pastry is cold when you start, and avoid overloading the filling. Also, twisting gently rather than tightly keeps the filling inside and stops moisture from seeping out. Finally, baking until golden ensures a crisp crust.

Final Thoughts

This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe never fails to brighten up my holiday table and bring people together—there’s something so joyful about pulling apart those golden, flaky branches packed with cheesy goodness. Give it a go, and I promise it will become one of your go-to festive treats. Trust me, your friends will be talking about it all season long!