Festive, flaky, and irresistibly savory, Easy Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are the kind of holiday recipe that instantly disappears from the table. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, contributing to a holiday potluck, or simply looking for a fun snack to enjoy while wrapping gifts, these adorable puff pastry trees deliver big flavor with minimal effort.

Made with store-bought puff pastry, melty cheese, and savory ham, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between impressive presentation and everyday simplicity. Best of all, it’s beginner-friendly, kid-approved, and endlessly customizable.

Why These Puff Pastry Christmas Trees Are a Holiday Must-Make

The holidays are already busy enough. Between decorating, shopping, and entertaining, no one wants a complicated appetizer that takes hours to prepare. That’s exactly why these ham and cheese puff pastry Christmas trees shine.

They come together quickly using just a handful of ingredients, yet they look like something straight out of a festive bakery display. The flaky layers puff beautifully in the oven, the cheese melts into gooey pockets, and the ham adds a savory richness that balances the buttery pastry.

From a practical standpoint, puff pastry is one of the most versatile shortcuts in the kitchen. It allows home cooks to create visually stunning appetizers without advanced pastry skills. When shaped into Christmas trees, it instantly transforms a simple snack into a seasonal showstopper.

Perfect Occasions for Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Trees

These festive appetizers fit seamlessly into nearly any holiday situation:

Christmas Eve appetizer spreads
Holiday brunch or breakfast boards
Office parties and school events
Cozy family movie nights
New Year’s Eve snack platters

They’re portable, easy to eat with your hands, and hold up well at room temperature, making them ideal for gatherings where guests like to mingle.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about this recipe is how accessible the ingredients are. You may already have most of them in your fridge.

Ingredients

Puff pastry sheets, thawed
Thinly sliced ham
Shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella work well)
Egg (for egg wash)
Optional herbs (thyme, parsley, or rosemary)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.
Layer ham evenly over the pastry, followed by shredded cheese.
Place a second sheet of puff pastry on top and gently press to seal.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into long triangles to resemble Christmas trees.
Make small diagonal cuts along the sides of each triangle to form branches, leaving the center intact.
Gently twist each branch outward to create a tree shape.
Transfer trees to the prepared baking sheet.
Brush lightly with egg wash for a golden finish.
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
Cool slightly before serving.

Tips for Perfect Puff Pastry Trees

Keep pastry cold: Puff pastry puffs best when it goes into the oven cold.
Don’t overfill: Too much cheese can leak out during baking.
Sharp cuts matter: Clean edges help the pastry rise evenly.
Rotate the pan: For even browning, rotate halfway through baking.

Fun Variations to Try

One of the joys of this recipe is how customizable it is:

Turkey & Swiss: Swap ham for turkey for a lighter option.
Vegetarian: Use spinach and cheese instead of meat.
Spicy: Add a thin layer of Dijon mustard or chili flakes.
Italian-style: Use prosciutto and mozzarella with a sprinkle of oregano.

Each variation keeps the festive tree shape while offering new flavor profiles.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Easy Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees warm or at room temperature. They pair beautifully with:

Honey mustard dip
Cranberry sauce
Garlic aioli
Festive charcuterie boards

Arrange them standing upright on a platter for maximum visual impact, or lay them flat in overlapping rows for a casual snack spread.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

You can assemble the trees ahead of time and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving for the best texture.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to restore crispness.

A Brief Holiday Food Fun Fact

Puff pastry has roots in French cuisine, but its use in holiday baking has spread worldwide. Shaping puff pastry into festive forms—like stars, wreaths, and trees—has become a popular way to add seasonal flair without extra complexity.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a festive appetizer that’s easy, impressive, and absolutely delicious, Easy Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees deserve a spot on your holiday menu. They capture everything we love about Christmas cooking: warmth, creativity, and sharing food with the people we love.

Once you make them, don’t be surprised if they become a yearly tradition.

Easy Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

Flaky puff pastry Christmas trees filled with savory ham and melted cheese, perfect for festive holiday appetizers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 18

Total Time 33

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Autumn

Servings 8 pieces

Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

Mixing bowls
Baking sheet
Wire rack
Hand mixer or stand mixer

Ingredients

Cookie Batter

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
0.5 tsp nutmeg
0.25 tsp cloves optional
0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
0.75 cup brown sugar packed
1 egg large
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.75 cup apple cider

Filling

0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
1.5 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp cream or milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with apple cider, until a soft batter forms.
Drop batter onto baking sheets using a scoop, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly.
Bake 12–15 minutes until set and lightly golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
Beat softened butter with powdered sugar and vanilla. Add cream to reach desired filling consistency.
Sandwich cookies with filling, serve immediately or store in airtight container.

Notes

Puff pastry trees can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving for best texture.

Keyword Christmas puff pastry trees, easy Christmas snacks, ham and cheese puff pastry, puff pastry appetizers, savory holiday appetizers