Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

This delicious Nutella puff pastry Christmas tree is the perfect way to bring together family and friends over the holidays! Made with a flaky puff pastry crust, creamy Nutella, and sweet powdered sugar, this fun and festive dessert won’t just satisfy your sweet tooth, but you will also have a blast making it! Serve it alongside a bowl of ice cream or a mug of hot chocolate for the ultimate Christmas dessert.

Jump to:

• 🌟 Why this is the best recipe
• 📝 Ingredient notes
• 👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe
• 🎓 Storage and Freezing
• ✨ Flavor variations & substitutions
• 🎓 Expert tips
• 🥣 Equipment Notes
• ❓Recipe FAQs
• 🥧 More Puff Pastry Recipes
• Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

🌟 Why this is the best recipe

1. It is easy to make - This recipe only requires five easy-to-find ingredients and less than ten simple steps. Even beginning bakers can make this recipe and have bakery-style results in just 20 minutes!
2. It is an honest, detailed tutorial - Instead of just rushing through each of the steps, my Nutella puff pastry recipe also dives into the science behind the baking as well as expert tips and tricks to ensure that you end up with the most delicious and beautiful dessert.
3. It is absolutely delicious - This recipe may be simple, but it is delicious! It also uses the best technique to ensure the perfect balance of sweetness and that you don’t end up with a soggy mess once it is done!
4. It does not create any waste - Unlike some Nutella puff pastry Christmas tree recipes, I minimize wasting the extra puff pastry dough by using it as additional decorations in the recipe.
5. It is versatile - You can fill and decorate your Nutella puff pastry Christmas tree in countless ways. See the Flavor Variations and Substitutions section for a few ideas!

📝 Ingredient notes

1. Puff pastry - You can use store-bought frozen puff pastry or two portions of my homemade rough puff pastry.
2. Nutella - This chocolate hazelnut spread is the star of this puff pastry Christmas tree recipe! Before starting, you will need to melt it gently to make it more liquid. 
3. Egg Wash - You will need one whole egg to make an egg wash, which gives the puff pastry a glossy, golden brown finish.
4. Milk - You will also need a splash of milk to make the egg wash.
5. Powdered Sugar - The powdered sugar gives this puff pastry Nutella dessert an eye-catching and delicious finishing touch before presenting the dessert to your guests! To learn more about the different types of sugar and how to best use them in baking, refer to my sugar guide.

🛒 You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.

👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe

1. Step-by-step process of Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

1. Start by thawing the frozen puff pastry sheets (if using frozen). However, do not let them get too warm, as they must be very cold to work with.
2. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 190C / 370F. Do not use a fan. Heat the Nutella in the microwave for a few seconds, just enough to make the texture more liquid. Then, let it sit until it reaches room temperature (do not attempt to use it while hot).
3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Refrain from greasing the tray, as the puff pastry already contains enough fat.
4. Unfold one of the puff pastry sheets onto the parchment paper.
5. Using a spoon or offset spatula, spread the room-temperature Nutella spread over the pastry sheet. Then, place the second pastry sheet on top.
6. Cut a Christmas tree pattern from the pastry sheet using a sharp knife theb cut slits on both sides spacing them about 2cm / 1 inch apart leaving the center intact. Twist each strip of pastry twice, pressing the ends into the baking sheet. 
7. Then, use a cookie cutter to cut out decorative stars from the remaining pastry dough and place them on top of the tree pattern.
8. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of milk to make the egg wash. Then, lightly apply the egg wash to the top of the pastry.
9. Move the puff pastry Christmas tree to a baking sheet, place it in the oven, and bake at 200C / 392F (without a fan) for approximately 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Be sure to check the bottom of the pastry to make sure it is evenly baked and not soggy. 
10. Dust with powdered sugar as a finishing touch, serve, and enjoy!

💡 Top Tip: The temperature of the puff pastry dough is crucial to the success of this recipe. If at any point it becomes too warm to work with, place the pastry sheets in the fridge or freezer so that they remain cold and maintain their shape. Never force the pastry dough while warm; it would only make a mess.

🎓 Storage and Freezing

How to store?

This Nutella puff pastry Christmas tree is best when served fresh. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

How to freeze?

To freeze, first let the pastry come to room temperature. Then wrap it first in plastic wrap, then in foil (to prevent freezer burn), and store it in the freezer for up to two months.

How to reheat?

Once thawed, place in the microwave for a few seconds or in the oven for a few minutes until thoroughly heated.

✨ Flavor variations & substitutions

Fruit-filled Puff Pastry Christmas Tree - Try your puff pastry Christmas tree with sliced apples or pears as I do in my apple roses with puff pastry and pear puff pastry tarts.

Biscoff Puff Pastry Christmas Tree - Swap out the Nutella for Biscoff spread, or use a combination of both! You can use a store-bought brand or my creamy homemade lotus Biscoff spread.

Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree - To make your puff pastry Christmas tree savoury instead of sweet, you can fill it with grated cheese with caramelized onions or mushrooms, dried tomatoes, pesto, olives, ground meats, or even pizza toppings!

Other fillings - Other delicious fillings for your puff pastry Christmas tree can include peanut butter, jams, my homemade caramel filling, a pure chocolate spread, or anything that you can spread! You can also combine your spread with chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.

With different toppings - Instead of using powdered sugar, you can top it with a drizzle of caramel, chocolate glaze (like I use in my baked chocolate donuts recipe), or a sweet cinnamon sugar mix to make a churro Nutella puff pastry tree.

Different shapes - Use a cookie cutter to make mini puff pastry Christmas trees, or other shapes of your choice. Mini Nutella Christmas trees are perfect treats for parties! You can also use the same ingredients to make my Nutella puff pastry twists.

🎓 Expert tips

1. To avoid having the puff pastry dough get too warm, working with it as quickly as possible is crucial. Preparing the other ingredients in advance is a good idea so you are ready to go when the puff pastry thaws.
2. To prevent the Christmas tree from falling apart once assembled, it helps to cut out the shape while it is already on the tray. That way, you will not have to worry about moving it.
3. If the Nutella is too stiff to spread, place it back into the microwave for a few seconds. However, you must still wait until it reaches room temperature before using it.
4. If you notice that your Nutella puff pastry Christmas tree is browning too quickly as it bakes, cover the top with aluminum foil.
5. Use a sifter to add the powdered sugar to eliminate any lumps.

🥣 Equipment Notes

As with any baking recipe, a digital scale is a must-have to ensure accurate and consistent ingredient measurements. Even the slightest change in ingredients can significantly affect the outcome! Likewise, a digital oven thermometer is a helpful tool to ensure you are baking at the right temperature. Some oven models can vary by a degree or two. An offset spatula will help you evenly apply the Nutella to the puff pastry sheet.

❓Recipe FAQs

🥧 More Puff Pastry Recipes