This pretty dessert is made with only 2 base ingredients plus an egg wash. Spread creamy chocolate hazelnut spread between store-bought puff pastry sheets and use the easy cutting technique to transform it into a pretty Christmas tree. Great easy dessert recipe for a Christmas party.
Jump to:
I am on a mission this year to create super easy holiday recipes that are also great for parties, get-togethers or just having a cozy night at home.
I'm well aware of my food budget this year as I'm sure many of us are. I've capitalized on sales, I'm making use of my freezer, and that brings me to this recipe using store-bought frozen puff pastry. Move over homemade puff pastry, this is the time for a shortcut.
Combining flaky puff pastry with a store-brand chocolate hazelnut spread that mimics Nutella delivers a chocolatey, crispy, and flaky treat.
If you're a Nutella fan, you'll want to make the chocolate cinnamon dip to go with it.
Follow the step-by-step instructions with photos, and watch the video in the recipe card to see how to cut the puff pastry into a tree, and how to form the twisted branches.
And you know what? It doesn't matter if every twist isn't perfect - it'll all taste the same. And the rustic look will evoke all of the nostalgic Christmas feels anyway.
The creamy Nutella and the flaky pastry will speak for themselves. Guest will love it, and they'll ask "How did you do it?" Just point them in the direction of the Nutella dip, they'll forget about it, and you won't have to tell them you followed an easy recipe with only 2 ingredients.
The egg wash, Nutella dip, and dusting of powdered sugar are all optional but I highly recommend the egg wash. A 3 ingredient recipe is still budget friendly.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
Substitutions
Instructions
Prep Tips
How to thaw puff pastry
Make sure you thaw your puff pastry according to the package instructions. The instructions will usually direct you to thaw the pastry in the fridge overnight, or let it sit at room temperature for no longer than an hour.
Leaving the pastry to set longer at room temperature than it should can lead to the sheets of pastry sticking to each other.
My puff pastry sheets are stuck together! Is it ruined?
If you leave the pastry to sit too long and the sheets stick together or seal shut on themselves, you can fix it by simply rolling it out with a rolling pin.
This has happened to me when I have too much going on and forget about the thawing pastry.
Lay the pastry dough on a lightly floured countertop, flour your rolling pin, and gently roll it to the size you need.
For this recipe, you'll want to roll each sheet of pastry a little bit thinner. You don't have to be perfect when rolling, cutting, or twisting the dough for this recipe so don't stress about it.
- Roll the pastry on a lightly floured countertop.
- Stack the sheets together and cut them into a large triangle. Separate them as soon as you can so you don't risk them sticking together.
- Place one triangle of pastry on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the Nutella all over the puff pastry sheet. I like using a small offset spatula for this. You can use a spoon or butter knife instead.
- Layer the second sheet of puff pastry on top, lining up the edges. You should have two layers of puff pastry, with Nutella in the middle like a sandwich.
Now imagine an inch-wide tree trunk stretches from the tip of the triangle down to the bottom edge of the pastry. Leave that center inch uncut.
- Using a sharp knife cut inch-wide horizontal "branches" up the tree, leaving the center intact.
- Do this on both sides.
- Twist each branch, two times if you can. This helps you to be able to see the twists.
- Once this is done whisk the egg in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to the egg on the pastry.
Note: I made this one Christmas in an Airbnb in Mexico and used a glass as a rolling pin and my clean hands as a pastry brush. You don't need to use a French rolling pin and aesthetic pastry brush. Use what works in your kitchen!
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on it.
While the pastry is baking, make the dip if using. To make the dip:
- Heat the Nutella and milk in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. You just want to soften the chocolate spread and heat the milk so it'll combine smoothly.
- Whisk well and then add the cinnamon and vanilla if using.
- Whisk again and move to a small serving bowl.
Once the pastry is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Move the pastry to a serving platter and use a metal sieve to sift the icing sugar oven top, mimicking a snowy look. (optional)
Serve this simple puff pastry dessert with the chocolate cinnamon dip if using, or as is.
Tips for making puff pastry desserts
What to do with the extra pastry?
You can make 4 croissant rolls with the extra puff pastry dough and some more spread like I did in this Nutella puff pastry tree video in Mexico one year.
You can also use a cookie cutter to make star shapes. I didn't have one with me, so I searched google for a star image, traced it using my phone and a piece of thin paper, cut that out and then used a knife to trace it on the pastry to make stars.
What to serve with Nutella puff pastry
Serve this Nutella puff pastry tree with the cinnamon chocolate dip for an extra special treat. This tree-shaped dessert would be great as part of a holiday dessert table with other dishes like gingerbread biscotti, Christmas chocolate bark, chocolate truffles, or Scottish shortbread cookies.
Looking for more tree-shaped dishes for the holidays? Tree these Christmas tree rolls with Gouda and rosemary.
Storage
This puff pastry tree is best served the day it's made. The dip will last covered in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat to return to a dippable consistency if needed.
FAQs
You can skip the egg wash on puff pastry but the pasty will not brown while baking in the oven and the result will be a pale pastry.
Yes, you can try different fillings. Instead of a sweet treat, try making a savory tree shaped appetizer with pesto.
If your pasty has stuck together this is a sign that it sat at room temperature for too long. It's not ruined, you can roll it with a rolling pin into the shape you need.
Recipe
Nutella Puff Pastry Tree
Ingredients
For the Tree
- 400 grams puff pastry 1 package of 2 sheets
- ¼ cup chocolate hazelnut spread like Nutella
- 1 large egg for an egg wash
- powdered sugar to serve, optional
For the Dip – Optional
- ⅓ cup chocolate hazelnut spread
- 2 tablespoons milk
- splash vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Roll the pastry on a lightly floured countertop.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200℃).
- Stack the sheets together and cut them into a large triangle. Separate them as soon as you can so you don't risk them sticking together.
- Place one triangle of pastry on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the Nutella all over the puff pastry sheet. I like using a small offset spatula for this. You can use a spoon or butter knife instead.
- Layer the second sheet of puff pastry on top, lining up the edges. You should have two layers of puff pastry, with Nutella in the middle like a sandwich.
- Now imagine an inch-wide tree trunk stretches from the tip of the triangle down to the bottom edge of the pastry. Leave that center inch uncut.
- Using a sharp knife cut inch-wide horizontal "branches" up the tree, leaving the center intact.
- Do this on both sides.
- Twist each branch, two times if you can. This helps you to be able to see the twists.
- Once this is done whisk the egg in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to the egg on the pastry.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on it.
- While the pastry is baking, make the dip if using. Heat the Nutella and milk in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. You just want to soften the chocolate spread and heat the milk so it'll combine smoothly. Whisk well and then add the cinnamon and vanilla if using. Whisk again and move to a small serving bowl.
- Once the pastry is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Move the pastry to a serving platter and use a metal sieve to sift the icing sugar oven top, mimicking a snowy look. (optional)
- Serve this simple puff pastry dessert with the chocolate cinnamon dip if using, or as is.
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
SHARE THIS RECIPE
Rating, commenting, and sharing my recipes really helps. Thanks for taking the time! Mention @pipercooksblog on Instagram.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!