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Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Nov 13, 2022, Updated Jan 29, 2026

Add as a preferred source on Google - 2

My beautiful Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas tree has been a hit for years. This recipe has only three ingredients and even if you mess up, it will be delicious regardless. The ooey gooey Nutella on flakey puff pastry is a combination of flavors that I don’t want you to miss out on.

  • Why You’ll Love Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip
  • Variations and Substitutions
  • Other Holiday Recipes
  • Common Questions
  • Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe

Why You’ll Love Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

You’re going to love how easy this is to make because simple ingredients come together to form such a beautiful holiday masterpiece that will have your guests ooh-ing and ah-ing. This festive tree 🎄 is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday gathering, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This tree can work as a dessert or side dish with any meal.

How to Prepare

🌟 First, preheat the oven to 400°F. Then, follow the package instructions to defrost the puff pastry and place one sheet on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . You can use flour, if needed, to prevent sticking.

🍫 Next, melt the Nutella using a double boiler or you could use a microwave and then spread it on the puff pastry sheet.

🔻 Place the second puff pastry sheet on top, dust it with flour, and use a pizza cutter or knife to cut it into a triangle.

⭐ Use scraps to create star shapes and connect leftover dough to form a bigger triangle.

🎄 Now pinch and shape the dough into a Christmas tree, by making cuts on each side and twisting them.

🥚 Finally, brush with egg wash or cooking spray, add the star shapes on top and place any remaining scraps on the baking sheet.

🔥 Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes or until golden. Dust with icing sugar before enjoying.

Nonna’s Tip

To cut and shape the dough, feel free to use a pizza cutter, a ravioli cutter, or even a knife.

A festive pastry shaped like a Christmas tree, filled with chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar, sits on a plate. A hand holds a piece of the pastry. Star anise decorations are placed around the plate. - 3

Variations and Substitutions

Make this Christmas tree your own! Try some of these variations and have FUN with it.

  • Explore different filling variations such as fruit spreads, other chocolate spreads, or even a combination of fruit and chocolate.
  • For an extra layer of texture, certainly, feel free to incorporate nuts like hazelnuts or almonds for a satisfying crunch.
  • Why not try adding some 🍊 orange zest to the Nutella for a different flavor?
  • While this recipe is for making a Christmas tree, you could use the concept and directions and create your own design .

Other Holiday Recipes

If you love this recipe, you’ll find my Puff Pastry Nutella Twists even EASIER!

A plate of twisted pastry sticks dusted with powdered sugar. The pastries are golden brown with a chocolate filling. A small bowl of chocolate spread and a sieve are in the background, along with a few scattered nuts. - 4 A plate of twisted pastry sticks dusted with powdered sugar. The pastries are golden brown with a chocolate filling. A small bowl of chocolate spread and a sieve are in the background, along with a few scattered nuts. - 5

Puff Pastry Nutella Twists

30 mins

Bread rolls arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, inspired by a Puff Pastry Christmas Tree, topped with sesame seeds, herbs, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries, displayed on parchment paper with empty white plates nearby. - 6 Bread rolls arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, inspired by a Puff Pastry Christmas Tree, topped with sesame seeds, herbs, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries, displayed on parchment paper with empty white plates nearby. - 7

Garlic Bread Christmas Tree

30 mins

A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 8 A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 9

Holiday Butter Board

20 mins

A white pot filled with fresh cranberries, lemon slices, star anise, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of rosemary in water—perfect for creating homemade Holiday Potpourri. - 10 A white pot filled with fresh cranberries, lemon slices, star anise, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of rosemary in water—perfect for creating homemade Holiday Potpourri. - 11

Holiday Potpourri

1 hr 5 mins

Common Questions

If you don’t want to use the egg wash, you are more than welcome to use any cooking spray and spray it on top before you bake it.

Feel free to use a pizza cutter, a ravioli cutter, or even a knife.

You can use any cookie shape or cookie cutter for the stars.

You can use any that you like as long as the two sheets are big enough to form a tree.

In the freezer section of any grocery store.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper
  • ▢ Pizza Cutter
  • ▢ Nutella

Ingredients

  • ▢ 2 puff pastry sheets , 10" by 10 "
  • ▢ ½ cup Nutella , you can melt in microwave for easy spreading
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon water
  • ▢ icing sugar , optional

Instructions

  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 400F. Defrost the puff pastry as per the package instructions and transfer one sheet onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If anything sticks you can always dust it with flour.
  • ▢ I melted my Nutella over a double boiler so that it’s very easy to spread but you can do that in the microwave as well. I added the Nutella onto my puff pastry sheet and spread it with the back of my spoon.
  • ▢ I placed my second puff pastry sheet on top and dusted the top with more flour. Now take a pizza cutter or a knife and cut it into a triangle starting from the top cutting down towards each corner.
  • ▢ The top right side scraps we can use to make our star shapes by using a cookie cutter. Take the top left side of the dough, lift it, flip it and connect it with your triangle to make this tree into one large triangle.
  • ▢ Pinch the two triangles together as best as you can. Take the pizza or cookie cutter and cut the bottom so it resembles a tree. Now, make cuts along each each side of the tree and twist each piece.
  • ▢ Brush the tree with egg wash by mixing one egg+ water into a bowl, add the star shapes on top and brush them as well. Place any remaining scraps on the baking sheet so we can bake them as well.
  • ▢ Bake at 400F for 20 min or until golden. Dust with icing sugar and enjoy.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Pizza Cutter
  • Nutella

Ingredients

  • 2 puff pastry sheets 10" by 10 "
  • ½ cup Nutella you can melt in microwave for easy spreading
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • icing sugar optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400F. Defrost the puff pastry as per the package instructions and transfer one sheet onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If anything sticks you can always dust it with flour.
  • I melted my Nutella over a double boiler so that it’s very easy to spread but you can do that in the microwave as well. I added the Nutella onto my puff pastry sheet and spread it with the back of my spoon.
  • I placed my second puff pastry sheet on top and dusted the top with more flour. Now take a pizza cutter or a knife and cut it into a triangle starting from the top cutting down towards each corner.
  • The top right side scraps we can use to make our star shapes by using a cookie cutter. Take the top left side of the dough, lift it, flip it and connect it with your triangle to make this tree into one large triangle.
  • Pinch the two triangles together as best as you can. Take the pizza or cookie cutter and cut the bottom so it resembles a tree. Now, make cuts along each each side of the tree and twist each piece.
  • Brush the tree with egg wash by mixing one egg+ water into a bowl, add the star shapes on top and brush them as well. Place any remaining scraps on the baking sheet so we can bake them as well.
  • Bake at 400F for 20 min or until golden. Dust with icing sugar and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Puff Pastry Christmas Tree https://themodernnonna.com/nutella-puff-pastry-christmas-tree/ November 13, 2022

Home › Recipes › Cookies & Snacks

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Snejana Andreeva - 12

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 13

My lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies melt in your mouth . This recipe is one of those recipes that you’ll need to triple, because it’s THAT good. 🍋Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply looking for a unique and delicious cookie, these Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon tea to a fancy dessert spread.

  • Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍋
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions
  • Other Holiday Recipes
  • More Holiday Cookies
  • Common Questions
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies are ideal for anyone who cannot tolerate 🥚 eggs as they are completely egg-free . The dough takes 5 minutes to whip up, so these cookies are easy enough for anyone who is not even a baker. They’re only 5 ingredients , which you probably already have on hand. I can honestly say that this is one of those cookie recipes that you cannot get enough of.

How to Prepare

🥣 Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer and bowl to cream butter and cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth.

🍋 Add sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth . Then add flour, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Scrape down the sides to fully incorporate any remaining flour.

🧊 Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

🥄 Remove dough from the refrigerator, use a small ice-cream scooper to portion the cookies, rolling each in a touch of flour to prevent sticking.

🍓 Place rolled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Flatten each with your thumb, creating an indent, and add a teaspoon of preferred jam/preserve to the center.

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are light and golden brown .

❄️ Allow the cookies to cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies - 14

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions

  • Try adding a decorative topping like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for holiday decoration.
  • I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free flour , but feel free to experiment with a gluten-free 1-1 replacement and let me know how it goes!
  • Instead of lemon extract , you could try almond, vanilla, orange or another you have on hand.
  • Feel free to experiment with different jams or preserves , for example, you could use strawberry, raspberry, apricot or even marmalade.
  • You could try dairy-free or vegan alternatives to the butter and cream cheese if you or your guests have allergies.

Other Holiday Recipes

A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 15 A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 16

Antipasti Christmas Wreath

10 mins

A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 17 A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 18

Holiday Butter Board

20 mins

Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 19 Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 20

Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco

5 mins

A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 21 A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 22

Holiday Cheese Board

20 mins

More Holiday Cookies

Looking for an even fancier-looking cookie? Try my puff pastry cookies .

A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 23 A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 24

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

3 hrs 23 mins

A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 25 A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 26

Italian Amaretti Cookies

25 mins

Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 27 Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 28

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

20 mins

A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 29 A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 30

Shortbread Butter Cookies

27 mins

Common Questions

Feel free to use any jam or preserve you enjoy. I love fig or apricot but you are more than welcome to use any you have on hand.

The lemon extract is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. You can also use pure vanilla extract, or almond extract, or leave them plain. Or, if you don’t have pure lemon extract, but still want the flavor, you can also use the zest of a lemon in the recipe.

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Feel free to freeze the cookie dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and shape as usual.

The cream cheese and butter must be softened in order for the cookies to bake correctly.

You can use salted or unsalted butter. I have made them with both and both results are delicious.

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ ½ cup cream cheese , softened
  • ▢ ½ cup white sugar
  • ▢ 1 stick softened salted butter
  • ▢ 1.5 teaspoons lemon extract , optional if you don’t have any on hand
  • ▢ 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour , + 2 extra tablespoons for rolling the balls
  • ▢ 18 teaspoons jam , I used fig preserve

Instructions

  • ▢ In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. You can also use a hand-held mixer and a bowl as well.
  • ▢ Once creamy, add the sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. If there’s any flour on the sides, you can scrape it down and mix again until fully incorporated.
  • ▢ Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour. After an hour, take out the dough, remove the plastic and use a small ice-cream scooper to scoop out the cookies. I scoop each cookie, roll it in a touch of flour as it will stick to your hands if you don’t.
  • ▢ Repeat this step for all 18 cookies. Place each rolled cookie onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each one down with your thumb to make an indent. Add a teaspoon of any jam/preserve you like to the middle.
  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 350F and bake until the edges are light and golden brown. This should take 13-15 minutes depending on the oven.
  • ▢ Let them cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. These are perfectly stored at room-temp for up to a week.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.