If you need a quick festive treat for holiday gatherings, these Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are always a hit. Made with buttery puff pastry sheets and a simple cinnamon sugar puff pastry filling, they bake up golden, flaky, and just the right amount of sweet in under 30 minutes.
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Each puff pastry tree is twisted into a fun Christmas tree shape, with layers of cinnamon and sugar in every bite. They look impressive, but they're surprisingly easy to make with store-bought dough.
Whether you're hosting, baking with kids, or just want something fun to bring to the table, these little pastry trees are the perfect festive treat.
For another fun Christmas treat idea, check out these fun Grinch Pretzels and Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies next.
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Why You'll Love It
- A fun twist on classic puff pastry. This isn't just puff pastry and cinnamon sugar - it's shaped into a festive puff pastry tree that stands out on any dessert table.
- Easy step-by-step instructions. Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe beginner-friendly, even if you've never worked with puff pastry before.
- Perfect for holiday gatherings. These are easy to make ahead and great for parties, cookie trays, or place settings.
- Looks impressive, but couldn't be easier. That golden, flaky Christmas tree shape makes them look bakery-worthy with hardly any effort.
Recipe Ingredients
- Puff pastry sheets. Use store-bought puff pastry dough sheets for convenience. Thaw them in the fridge before using if frozen.
- Butter. Use softened butter so it spreads easily.
- Brown sugar. I used light brown sugar, but you could also use dark brown sugar.
- Cinnamon gives that classic warm holiday flavor.
- Optional stars. Use extra pastry or Sugar Cookie Dough to create stars for the top of each tree.
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll the puff pastry sheet on the parchment paper or a lightly floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over one sheet of pastry using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon.
Step 2
Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top and gently pat it down. Alternatively, you can mix the cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl to make a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Step 3
Place the second sheet of pastry over the first and gently press it down. Use a rolling pin to lightly flatten.
Step 4
Cut the pastry into 1-inch strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. You will get ten strips.
Pro Tip: Use a tape measure to mark out every inch on the top and bottom of the pastry. This will help you cut a straight line.
Step 5
Pick up a strip and carefully fold it back and forth to form a Christmas tree shape. Thread a wooden skewer from the base through all the layers and out the top. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining strips. Use a small cookie cutter to make little stars from excess pastry.
Step 6
Brush the trees, including the sides, with melted butter. Bake for 12-15 minutes until puffy and golden brown. Stars will bake in about 8-10 minutes.
Step 7
Remove the trees from the oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Place a star cookie on top of the trees, and enjoy!
Jeri's Top Tips
- Keep the dough cold. If the pastry gets too soft, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes. Cold dough is easier to work with.
- Use even strips. This helps each puff pastry tree bake evenly and keeps that clean Christmas tree shape.
- Sprinkle with Icing Sugar: Add extra sweetness with a dusting of icing sugar.
- Don't Overbake: Bake just until light golden brown.
Variations
- Nutty: Sprinkle ¼ cup of chopped pecans on the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Nutella: Spread Nutella on the pastry dough instead of the butter mixture.
- Savory: Spread the pastry with pesto and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve with chocolate spread, cream cheese glaze, or jam.
Recipe FAQs
Puff pastry is a light, flaky pastry dough made with layers of butter and dough. It puffs up in the oven due to the steam created between the layers.
Cut the pastry into strips, then fold each strip back and forth into a zig-zag twist to form a Christmas tree shape before baking.
Puff pastry is available in most major grocery stores, usually near the frozen crusts and desserts section.
Typically, puff pastry is sold in 17.3-ounce packages (US) or 450 g packages (Canada), containing two sheets measuring approximately 10 x 10 inches when thawed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Printable Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 10 Wooden Skewers
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 sheets puff pastry dough thawed, 17.3 oz (US) or 450 g (Canada)
- 2 tablespoos butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup powdered sugar optional
Instructions
- Step 1: To begin, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a large baking sheet.
- Step 2: Melt the ¼ butter in the microwave or a saucepan and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Step 3: Unroll a sheet of puff pastry onto parchment paper or a lightly floured surface.
- Step 4: Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over the pastry sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over top.
- Step 5: Carefully place the second sheet of puff pastry over top. Smooth it down with a rolling pin.
- Step 6: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the pastry into ten 1-inch wide strips.
- Step 7: Carefully fold each strip, accordion style, into the shape of a Christmas tree. Thread a wooden skewer from the base of the tree, through all the layers, and out the top. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pastry strips. You can also make little stars out of the excess pastry by using a small cookie cutter.
- Step 8: Brush the trees, including the sides, with melted butter.
- Step 9: Bake them in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until puffy and golden brown. If you made stars, they will be cooked in about 8-10 minutes.
- Step 10: Remove from the oven. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the trees if desired. Place a star cookie on top of the trees.
Video
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Notes
- Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw puff pastry ahead of time.
- Cut even Strips: Cut each sheet into ten strips for uniform trees.
- Sprinkle with Icing Sugar: Add extra sweetness with a dusting of icing sugar.
- Don't Overbake: Bake just until light golden brown.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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