Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Christmas Tree (Ready in 35 Minutes)
This cinnamon sugar puff pastry Christmas tree is two sheets of store-bought puff pastry layered with butter and cinnamon sugar, cut into a tree, twisted into branches, and dusted with powdered sugar snow.
Holiday baking can eat up your whole December, which is exactly why I love this one. It looks like you spent the morning on it, it takes 35 minutes, and it’s the kind of thing that makes Christmas morning feel like Christmas morning.
A cinnamon sugar puff pastry Christmas tree is a holiday pastry made by layering butter and cinnamon sugar between two sheets of puff pastry, cutting the layers into a tree shape, slicing and twisting the branches, and baking until flaky and golden. It bakes at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Ingredients for a Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
- Store-bought puff pastry: you need two sheets. Homemade puff pastry works too if you’re feeling ambitious.
- Unsalted butter: melted or softened, for brushing over the pastry.
- Granulated sugar: or brown sugar.
- Ground cinnamon: mixed into the sugar for the filling.
- Egg: beaten, for the egg wash that gives it that golden, glossy finish.
- Powdered sugar: dusted on top like snow.
How to Make a Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on the parchment.
- Brush the butter over the pastry and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly on top.
- Lay the second sheet of puff pastry over the filling.
- Cut out a large tree shape, leaving space at the bottom for a trunk. Cut out a few stars too if you like.
- Cut diagonal strips along both sides of the tree for branches, leaving a strip down the center uncut.
- Twist each branch outward.
- Brush the whole tree with egg wash.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar.
Tips and Ideas
- Get the kids involved. Cutting the branches, twisting them, and decorating are all little-hands jobs.
- Decorate it like a real tree. Small red candies as ornaments, sprinkles, edible gold or silver dust, or just a heavy snowfall of powdered sugar.
- Swap the filling. Nutella, Biscoff spread, brown sugar cream cheese, or peanut butter all work in place of the cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle in dried fruit or chopped nuts too. For a savory appetizer version, use pesto and cheese.
Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry 397g
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¾ cup granulated or brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 egg beaten, for egg wash
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the sugar and ground cinnamon. This will be your delightful cinnamon sugar filling.
- Cut and Layer Pastry: Lay one sheet of puff pastry on a floured surface. Roll it out using a rolling pin to create a larger rectangle.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Brush the softened butter over the puff pastry, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
- Top with Second Layer: Carefully place the second puff pastry sheet on top, aligning it with the base layer. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut it into the shape of a Christmas tree, making sure to leave space for the tree trunk at the bottom. You can also use a cookie cutter to cut star shapes for the top of the tree and anywhere else you desire.
- Cut Branches: Proceed to cut diagonal branches along both sides of the tree, leaving the center uncut. These will be the branches of your Christmas tree.
- Twist and Shape: Gently twist each branch, spiraling it outward to create a tree-like effect of puff pastry twists. The layers will create beautiful swirls of cinnamon sugar. Then brush with egg wash using a pastry brush.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the pastry tree onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and puffs up beautifully.
- Sprinkle on the Snow: Once Puff pastry sheets are cooked through, remove from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: airtight container at room temperature 1 to 2 days, or in the fridge 4 to 5 days.
- Freeze: wrapped, up to a month. It’s best fresh.
- Reheat: in a 350°F oven for a few minutes. Skip the microwave, the pastry loses its texture.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.
More Christmas Morning and Holiday Treats
- Fluffy Dairy-Free Cinnamon Rolls, my Memere’s Christmas morning recipe
- Santa Hat Mini Cheesecakes
- Candy Cane Cake Pops
- Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Bars
If this ends up on your Christmas morning table, leave a star rating and a comment below, it helps other people find the recipe. Tag @basicswithbails on Instagram so I can see your tree.
About Bailey
I love to bake, cook, exercise, and document all of the above. Nutrition is not low fat. It is not low calorie. It’s not feeling deprived or being hungry all the time. It’s nourishing your body with real, whole foods so that you are consistently satisfied and energized to live your life to the fullest! Read more…
