Pesto and cheese Christmas tree

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4 and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

2. 2

   Lay the two sheets of puff pastry one on top of the other on the lined baking tray, taking care not to allow them to stick together. Cut into a long triangle shape. Cut a little stump for the end of your tree at the wider end, remove and reserve any scraps of pastry covered in the fridge.

3. 3

   Carefully peel the top layer of pastry off the ‘tree’ and set to one side.

4. 4

   Spread the pesto over the base and sprinkle with the cheese before sandwiching the base with the reserved layer of pastry to cover.

5. 5

   Starting at the pointed end, using a sharp knife, cut evenly spaced lines on each side that get longer towards the base of the tree. Make sure to leave a gap running up the middle as the trunk of the tree. 

6. 6

   Starting on one side, take two of the strips and twist them together. Repeat on both sides.  

7. 7

   Remove any scraps from the fridge and, using a cutter (or just with a knife freehand) cut decorative stars, placing a large one at the top of the tree and smaller ones along the middle.

8. 8

   Brush with beaten egg all over, season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the sesame seeds, if using. 

9. 9

   Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving. 

1 serving ≈ 92 g

Nutrition values are estimates. - means data is unavailable.