NUTELLA CHRISTMAS TREE. So, you wanna win the Christmas dessert table, but also keep your sanity and your kitchen clean? We’ve all been there, stuck between baking something epic and just grabbing a box of store-bought cookies. That’s why you gotta try the Nutella Christmas Tree this year. It looks five-star restaurant fancy, tastes even fancier, and takes almost zero brain cells to throw together. (By the way, if you’re in panic mode for more easy treats, you’ll love these 4-ingredient Christmas shortbread cookies or my recent favorite, cake mix Christmas cookies—total game changers for the lazy baker.)
Why You’ll Love This Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe
Okay, real talk—everyone loves a Nutella Christmas Tree. I mean, if you ever want to impress both your grandma and your picky little cousin at the same time, this is it. The beauty of this treat? It’s quick. Like, “I forgot I was supposed to bring dessert” quick. No special skills. It’s flaky, chocolaty, and you can literally pull off a savory version too if you ignore my death glare.
But here’s the kicker—people think it’s super hard to make. It’s not. I’ve fooled many a guest. You just need some puff pastry, Nutella, and an egg. The tree shape? Trust me, once you get twisting, it’s almost fun. (Alright, maybe “fun” is pushing it if the kids join in, but they’ll eat enough of the filling to keep them quiet.)
And if you’re feeling extra, powdered sugar snow or even some edible glitter sprinkles takes this treat from “oh that’s cute” to “woah, should I bow down?”
I showed up to my office holiday party with a Nutella Christmas Tree last year, and someone actually asked if I bought it from a fancy bakery. I’ll never tell.
How to Make a Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
First thing, get puff pastry from the supermarket. Seriously don’t make your own—life is too short. Let it thaw (I always forget this step and end up awkwardly microwaving it for a couple seconds). Roll out two sheets—keep them the same size or your tree turns out a little “tilted.” Slather that Nutella like you mean it. Don’t be stingy. You’re not on a diet today.
Lay the second pastry sheet on top and do your best to pat it down without squishing the filling out the sides.
Now, for the tree. Cut it into a triangle, trunk and all. The leftovers will get twisted into little branches—basically, you just slice on each side (try to match them up, but honestly, it doesn’t matter in the end). Give each “branch” a little twist. Don’t stress about perfection. Brush with beaten egg so it gets that glorious golden glow.
Slide it all onto a baking sheet, pop it into a hot oven (400°F/200°C works), and—do not forget to set a timer. In about 15-20 minutes, your kitchen smells divine and the Nutella Christmas Tree magic is happening.
Oh! And let it cool a bit. Hot Nutella will burn the roof of your mouth, I promise you.
Recipe Tips
Okay, some things I’ve learned from making, oh, about fifteen of these Nutella Christmas Trees:
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Cleaning caramelized chocolate-glued pans is a level of regret I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
- If your puff pastry feels too sticky, toss a bit of flour on your counter. Saves so much drama.
- Wanna get a little wild? Toss in some chopped hazelnuts or a sprinkle of sea salt before the top pastry goes on.
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Use Parchment Paper | This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. |
| Chill Puff Pastry Before Use | Keeping the pastry cold helps it puff beautifully when baked. |
| Twist the Branches Firmly | A firmer twist holds up better during baking. |
| Add Toppings After Baking | Drizzle chocolate or sprinkle nuts post-baking for added flair. |
| Store at Room Temp | For best flavor, enjoy within a day and store at room temperature. |
Variation Ideas
Let’s not overcomplicate things but… why not try making different versions? Swap Nutella for peanut butter if you’re allergic, or maybe cookie butter if you’re feeling kinda “let’s see what happens.” I’ve tried drizzling melted white chocolate after baking, and holy moly. It’s a sugar bomb, but ’tis the season.
Another fun one? You can do a cinnamon-sugar mix with a bit of butter—makes a sort of churro tree. Or for the savory folks, pesto and mozzarella works, too. (I once brought a savory tree to a brunch and suddenly everyone assumed I’m fancy, even though I’m not.)
You could even jazz it up with M&Ms or sprinkles for a more “kid party” vibe. It’s a blank canvas, really. Don’t overthink it. The Nutella Christmas Tree will always shine.
Make It in Advance
Ever try to prep for a party and then realize you forgot about dessert until, like, the morning of? Been there more than once. The Nutella Christmas Tree is super friendly for that situation. Here’s the magic: you can assemble the whole thing, cover it up with some plastic wrap, and park it in the fridge for a day or so. Only bake it right before your guests show up. If you do end up with leftovers (which, uh, doesn’t tend to happen here), just cover and store at room temp for a day or stick in the fridge if you need it to last more than that.
I will tell you, it’s pretty best warmed up for a few seconds in the microwave. Cold puff pastry kinda loses its charm, you know?
Oh, and for party prep—making mini trees can be super cute for individual servings. They’re a hit at potlucks, and you’ll look like you planned everything weeks in advance (even if you’re literally still in your house slippers).
Serving Suggestions
- Put your Nutella Christmas Tree on a wooden board with some powdered sugar dusted over like fresh snow. People will “ooh” and “aah,” I guarantee.
- Serve with strawberries or raspberries—adds color and cuts through the richness.
- Pair it with a big mug of hot cocoa (or mulled wine for adults). Basically, you can’t go wrong.
Want some more Christmas inspiration? Definitely check out these tasty Christmas sugar cookie bars and this wild Mexican street corn pasta salad for a sweet and savory combo at your party.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use homemade dough instead of store-bought puff pastry for the Nutella Christmas Tree?
A: You sure can, but honestly? I wouldn’t. Store-bought is just so easy and comes out perfectly flaky.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Room temp for a day is fine, but after that, fridge it (just don’t expect it to last long).
Q: My branches fall off! What am I doing wrong?
A: It happens if your twists are too thin or you slice too close to the center. Next time, keep the base thick.
Q: Can I freeze the Nutella Christmas Tree before baking?
A: Yep! Wrap it up tight and freeze. Bake straight from frozen, just up the time a bit.
Q: Can I make this if my family is allergic to nuts?
A: Try chocolate spread without nuts or use another filling entirely. It’s all good.
Grab Your Puff Pastry and Let’s Make Holiday Magic
There you have it. The Nutella Christmas Tree is hands down my favorite fuss-free festive dessert. Quick, impressive, and sooo chocolatey. If you get tempted by other treats, that’s fine, but seriously, after you try this recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with complicated stuff. Looking for more ideas? Take a gander at the Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe on Allrecipes, the stunning photos at Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree – Sew White, or some crazy-simple variants at Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree | Easy Weeknight Recipes and even go wild with the 3 Ingredient Nutella Puff Pastry Tree with Nutella Dip – Piper Cooks. They’re packed with good tips if you want to branch out! Don’t let the kitchen stress you out—the holidays are for enjoying, not sweating over pastry.
Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Ingredients
Method
- First, let the puff pastry thaw according to package instructions.
- Roll out the two sheets of puff pastry to the same size.
- Spread Nutella thickly on one sheet of puff pastry.
- Place the second sheet on top and gently pat it down.
- Cut the combined pastry into a triangle shape for the tree, including the trunk.
- Cut slits along the edges to form branches, then twist each branch to shape.
- Brush the entire tree shape with the beaten egg.
- Transfer the tree onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot Nutella.