Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 6-8 slices of ham (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry:
Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a flat surface. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the puff pastry into squares, each about 4 inches by 4 inches (you may need to trim the edges a bit to make them even).
- Assemble the Christmas Trees:
- Place a slice of ham in the center of each square of puff pastry.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese on top of the ham.
- Add a little bit of cheddar cheese for extra flavor, if desired.
- Carefully fold each square into a triangle by folding the top corner down toward the center and then folding the other two corners toward the center, forming a triangle shape.
- Create the Tree Shape:
- Once you have folded the puff pastry into a triangle, gently press the sides to seal the edges. You may want to fold the edges slightly to get a better “tree” shape.
- Repeat this for all of the pastry squares, creating multiple Christmas tree-shaped pastries.
Tips:
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the pastry triangles ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and bake them when you’re ready to serve.
- Variations: Feel free to add other fillings like spinach, mushrooms, or even a bit of mustard or cranberry sauce for extra flavor.
- Dipping sauce: Serve with a side of marinara or your favorite dipping sauce.
