Nutella Puff Pastry Trees (Printable)

Flaky puff pastry filled with Nutella, shaped into festive trees and baked golden for a crisp finish.

# Components:

→ Pastry

01 - 2 sheets puff pastry, approximately 8.8 oz (250 g) each, thawed

→ Filling

02 - 4.2 oz (120 g) Nutella or chocolate-hazelnut spread

→ Finish

03 - 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
04 - 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Unroll both sheets of puff pastry. Evenly spread Nutella over one sheet, leaving a 0.4-inch (1 cm) border around the edges.
03 - Place the second sheet of pastry on top to enclose the Nutella evenly.
04 - Using a sharp knife or tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out Christmas tree shapes approximately 5–6 inches (12–15 cm) tall. Re-roll scraps to create additional shapes as needed.
05 - Transfer trees onto the prepared tray. Carefully slice horizontal slits on each side of the tree shapes, leaving a central trunk intact. Twist each branch gently for decorative effect.
06 - Brush each pastry tree with the beaten egg to achieve a golden finish when baked.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
08 - Allow pastries to cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look impossibly fancy but take less time than heating up store-bought cookies.
  • That moment when the oven door opens and you see them puffed golden is pure kitchen magic.
  • Nutella fans will lose their minds, and even skeptics can't resist one warm from the oven.
02 -
  • If your egg wash is too thick or you apply it too heavily, it can seal the edges and prevent the pastry from puffing properly—a light, even coat is all you need.
  • The twisted branches are decorative but also structural; twisting them gently prevents them from burning on the tips while still creating that beautiful texture.
03 -
  • Keep your pastry cold until the moment you put it in the oven—cold pastry puffs better and stays flakier than pastry that's been sitting at room temperature.
  • If your Nutella is too cold and stiff to spread easily, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or gently warm it for 10 seconds in the microwave, but don't overheat it or you'll lose the texture.
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