Best Philadelphia Pesto Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Recipes

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CHEESE TWIST CHRISTMAS TREE



Cheese Twist Christmas Tree image

Wow the guests at your next holiday party with this delicious, pull-apart Christmas tree appetizer. The combination of crispy, buttery, flaky puff pastry wrapped around cheese and pesto is a stellar combination. Serve as-is or alongside some spicy tomato sauce for dipping.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Christmas Appetizers

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (14 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
⅓ cup prepared pesto sauce, divided
2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with a silicone liner (such as Silpat®).
  • Roll pastry into a 14-inch square, sprinkling with flour if necessary.
  • Cut from the bottom corners up to the center top to make a triangle. Place the triangle on a prepared baking sheet and place in the refrigerator.
  • Overlap the long edges of the 2 remaining pieces of pastry by about ½ inch to form a second triangle. Roll to flatten slightly. Place on the second prepared baking sheet and chill until needed.
  • Remove the first triangle from the refrigerator. Lift the silicone liner and pastry off the pan and onto the counter. Trim about 1 ½ inches off the bottom of the triangle and cut a 2-inch piece from that strip. Tuck that piece under the triangle to make a trunk.
  • Spread all but 1 to 2 tablespoons pesto sauce over the entire triangle, leaving ¼ inch exposed at the edges. Grate most of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the pesto. Place the second pastry triangle over top; stretch and pull it to fit, and trim off any extra dough as needed. Lightly press the edges together to seal and pat over the whole surface of the dough.
  • Use a pizza wheel to cut ¾-inch horizontal strips on one side of the tree going from the outside edge in to about ¼ to ½ inch from the center; leave the center part connected to form the trunk. As you move up the tree, it may be easier to place the pizza wheel at the trunk and cut out to the edge. Repeat on the other side, lining up the cuts with the first side.
  • Lift up each strip and twist 3 to 4 times. As you get up to the shorter pieces near the top, twist as many times as you can, but don't worry if you can't twist the strips at the very top.
  • Brush remaining pesto over the center of the tree and any other spots you feel need it. Transfer the silicone liner back onto a baking sheet. Grate remaining cheese over top.
  • Bake in the center of the preheated oven until pastry is fully cooked and well browned, 30 to 35 minutes; do not undercook.
  • Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 355.1 calories, Carbohydrate 23.8 g, Cholesterol 8.2 mg, Fat 25.5 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 316.4 mg

CREAM CHEESE, HAVARTI, AND PARMESAN HERBED CHRISTMAS TREE



Cream Cheese, Havarti, and Parmesan Herbed Christmas Tree image

This delicious cream cheese-based appetizer is a great addition to any holiday party and is always a hit with guests due to its festive look! I have typically made this recipe for parties with the light or reduced fat options instead of regular and everyone has said it tastes great and looks even better. After the tree has reached desired firmness, set it on your serving platter and top the tree with lemon peel cut into the shape of a star. Serve with your choice of crackers. Triscuits® or Wheat Thins® work great!

Provided by Laura

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes     Cheese Dips and Spreads Recipes     Cheese Ball Recipes

Time 2h15m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup shredded Havarti cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
½ teaspoon minced garlic
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Mix cream cheese, Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil, lemon zest, and garlic together in a bowl. Transfer cream cheese mixture to a piece of plastic wrap. Roll the plastic wrap around cream cheese mixture forming a cone shape, resembling a tree.
  • Stand the 'tree' upright and remove the plastic wrap. Cover the visible portion of the 'tree' with 1/4 cup basil and parsley.
  • Gently wrap the 'tree' with a fresh sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 99.6 calories, Carbohydrate 0.8 g, Cholesterol 29.9 mg, Fat 9.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 121.6 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

PESTO-STUFFED CHRISTMAS TREE



Pesto-Stuffed Christmas Tree image

Make and share this Pesto-Stuffed Christmas Tree recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Food.com

Categories     High In...

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 Tree, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 standard box puff pastry sheet (2 sheets)
5 tablespoons basil pesto
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
8 -10 cherry tomatoes
2 slices cheddar cheese
5 tablespoons whipped ricotta cheese
1 egg (for egg wash)

Steps:

  • Roll out 2 sheets of puff pastry.
  • Cut into the shape of a Christmas Tree.
  • Spread basil pesto on bottom layer of pastry sheet.
  • Sprinkle parmesan cheese.
  • Place top layer of tree-shaped pastry sheet down.
  • Make horizontal tree branch slices.
  • Twist the tree branches.
  • Brush egg wash (egg with water) along the tree trunk and base.
  • Lightly run a fork over tree trunk and base.
  • Bake according to the boxed direction of the puff pastry.
  • Decorate the tree with sliced cherry tomatoes, whipped ricotta cheese.
  • Using star-shaped cookie cutter, make a cheddar cheese star and set on top of the tree.

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