There’s nothing like the smell of buttery pastry and vanilla wafting through the house during the holidays—it just screams Christmas cheer! Every year, my kids and I make this adorable Christmas tree pastry together, and it’s become our little tradition. The moment we start shaping that bright green dough into a tree, sprinkles flying everywhere, it’s pure holiday joy. Whether you’re serving it at a party or leaving it out for Santa (along with a few carrot sticks, let’s be honest), this festive treat is guaranteed to bring smiles. Plus, it’s way easier than you’d think—just wait till you see how quickly it disappears off the plate!
Ingredients for Christmas Tree Pastry
Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference in creating that perfect holiday pastry. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way—using room-temperature butter instead of chilled turns the dough into a sticky mess! Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, please—no packing!)
- 1/2 cup butter, chilled and cubed (I pop mine in the freezer for 10 minutes)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (yes, packed—we want that sweetness)
- 1 large egg (cold from the fridge works best)
- 2 tbsp whole milk (the richer, the better)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (none of that imitation stuff)
- Green gel food coloring (liquid works in a pinch, but gel gives vibrant color)
- Your favorite decorations—we love rainbow sprinkles and edible gold stars
Pro tip: Measure everything before starting—it makes the process so much smoother when you’re in the holiday baking zone!
How to Make Christmas Tree Pastry
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—turning those simple ingredients into a showstopping holiday treat! I’ve made this Christmas tree pastry so many times I could probably do it in my sleep (and honestly, with three kids bouncing around during winter break, sometimes it feels like I am). But don’t worry—I’ll walk you through each step so your pastry turns out picture-perfect for spreading that holiday joy.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First things first—preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, let’s make magic happen. In a big mixing bowl, whisk together your flour and sugar. Now grab that chilled butter—I like to cut mine into tiny cubes while humming “Jingle Bells”—and cut it into the dry mix using a pastry cutter or two forks. You want it to look like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter bits remaining. That’s what gives our pastry that perfect flaky texture!
Next, make a well in the center and add your egg, milk, vanilla, and a few drops of green food coloring. Start with a little color—you can always add more! Mix gently with a fork until it just comes together, then use your hands to knead lightly. If the dough feels sticky (holiday baking hazard!), pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Cold dough equals happy shaping later!
Step 2: Shape Your Christmas Tree
Time to create our festive masterpiece! Dust your counter with flour and roll the dough into a large triangle—about 1/4 inch thick. No need for perfection here; real trees aren’t perfectly symmetrical either! Use a sharp knife to make small diagonal cuts along both sides to form branches, leaving about an inch of uncut dough in the center as the trunk.
Here’s my favorite trick: gently lift alternate branches and twist them slightly upward to give that 3D Christmas tree effect. The kids love helping with this part (though we usually end up with extra “creative” trees that look more like abstract art—that’s part of the holiday joy!). If you’re feeling fancy, use a toothpick to add bark-like lines to the trunk.
Step 3: Bake and Decorate
Carefully transfer your tree to a parchment-lined baking sheet—a flat spatula works great for this. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges just start turning golden. Keep an eye on it after 10 minutes—nothing kills holiday cheer faster than burnt pastry!
While still warm (but not hot), it’s decoration time! This is when the real magic happens. Sprinkle with colored sugars, dust with edible glitter, or add mini candies as ornaments. The warmth helps the decorations stick beautifully. Last year we used tiny star sprinkles as tree toppers, and they looked absolutely precious. Let your creativity shine—after all, that’s what holiday baking is all about! Share Your Holiday Joy
Christmas Tree Pastry Festive Tips
After making dozens of these holiday treats (and eating plenty of “practice” batches), I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks for perfect Christmas tree pastries every time! First – always chill your dough before shaping. Those 15 minutes in the fridge make the dough so much easier to work with, especially when little hands are helping decorate. If you’re short on time, pop the shaped pastry in the freezer for 5 minutes before baking – it helps hold those beautiful tree shapes. For picture-perfect branches, I swear by pizza cutters – they glide through the dough so cleanly! And a little secret – decorating while the pastry is still warm means all those festive sprinkles stick like magic. Store leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container, but fair warning – they rarely last more than a day in my house. The scent alone brings instant holiday joy!
Ingredient Substitutions
Don’t stress if you’re missing an ingredient or need to adjust for dietary needs—I’ve tried them all! For gluten-free, swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (Bob’s Red Mill works great here). Vegan? Use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 mins). Out of milk? Any non-dairy milk works—I love coconut for extra richness. Just avoid liquid food coloring substitutes if possible; they can make the dough sticky. The holiday joy is in the making, not perfection!
Serving Suggestions for Holiday Joy
This Christmas tree pastry is practically begging to be the star of your holiday spread! For maximum festive impact, serve it on a platter dusted with powdered sugar “snow.” A mug of rich hot cocoa with marshmallows or spiced apple cider makes the perfect pairing—the kids and I call it our “holiday joy combo.” Add some fresh cranberries or rosemary sprigs around the plate for extra Christmas magic! If you are looking for other festive drinks, check out this easy Hugo Spritz recipe.
Storage & Reheating
Here’s the good news—this Christmas tree pastry stays fresh for days if you store it right! Let it cool completely, then tuck it into an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Want to revive that just-baked magic? A quick 5-8 seconds in the microwave brings back the warmth and makes the decorations sparkle again. For longer storage, freeze the undecorated pastry wrapped tightly in plastic—just decorate after thawing to keep those sprinkles looking festive!
Christmas Tree Pastry Nutritional Information
Just between us, I never count calories during the holidays—but if you’re curious, here’s the scoop! Nutritional values vary based on ingredients and brands. Estimated per serving (1/8 of pastry): 180 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated), 22g carbs, 1g fiber, 8g sugar. Now go enjoy that holiday joy!
FAQs About Christmas Tree Pastry
Can I freeze the dough for later? Absolutely! I do this all the time when prepping for holiday parties. Wrap the uncolored dough tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then add food coloring and proceed with shaping—it works like magic for last-minute festive baking.
How do I prevent the edges from burning? Oh honey, I’ve sacrificed enough “charcoal trees” to know this one by heart! Three secrets: 1) Use parchment paper, 2) Bake in the center rack, and 3) Tent with foil if the branches start browning too fast. The holiday joy is in that perfect golden color!
Can kids help decorate these? Are you kidding? My 4-year-old considers herself the Sprinkle Queen of Christmas! Just warn them the pastry will be warm (not hot) when decorating. We lay out all the decorations in muffin tins—keeps everything organized and makes the decorating process extra festive.
Is gel food coloring really better than liquid? For vibrant holiday colors, 100% yes! The liquid stuff can make your dough sticky and pale. I keep a set of gel colors just for Christmas baking—that rich green makes all the difference for picture-perfect trees.
Share Your Holiday Joy
I’d love to see your Christmas tree pastry creations! Tag me in your photos or leave a comment below—there’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing all the creative ways you spread holiday joy with this sweet tradition.
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15 Festive Christmas Tree Pastry Tips for Holiday Joy
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 pastry tree 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive pastry shaped like a Christmas tree, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, chilled
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Decorations (sprinkles, edible glitter, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
- Add egg, milk, vanilla, and food coloring. Knead into dough.
- Roll dough into a triangle shape for the tree.
- Cut small branches with a knife.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Decorate while warm.
Notes
- Chill dough for easier handling.
- Use cookie cutters for uniform shapes.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: christmas tree pastry festive tips holiday joy