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pastry tree
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Pull-Apart Puff Pastry Tree with Roasted Red Pepper Dip

A fun and festive holiday appetizer that's great for the family - have the kids help with the "twisting" of the branches.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 cup roasted red pepper dip (see recipe below)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes

For Garnish:

  • 1 tbsp whole green peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp whole pink peppercorns
  • 3-4 sprigs rosemary

For Roasted Red Pepper Dip:

  • 1 cup Mezzetta Roasted Red Bell Peppers
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Unfold one sheet of puff pastry onto a sheet of parchment paper. Spread a few tablespoons of the roasted red pepper dip in a thin layer over the entire sheet. Reserve the rest for dipping.
  • Unfold the second puff pastry sheet onto another sheet of parchment paper. Measure out a tree shape with a ruler, leaving room for the trunk, and cut with pizza cutter or knife. Keep the extra pastry.
  • Combine both pastry sheets - carefully lift the cut pastry tree from the parchment paper and place on top of the whole, uncut pastry sheet with the roasted red pepper spread.
  • Trace the tree shape with pizza cutter to cut the pastry sheet below it.
  • Using a ruler, cut slits into each side of the tree forming branches, about 1/2"-1" inch apart, making sure to not cut thru the center trunk. Leave some room at the top of the tree.
  • Lift up each branch and twist, pinching the ends flat.
  • With the extra pastry, make star or snowflake shapes with a cookie cutter.
  • Carefully lift parchment paper and place tree and extra shapes onto baking sheet.
  • Brush lightly with the beaten egg.
  • Sprinkle lightly with sea salt flakes.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden and flaky.
  • Decorate ends of branches, stars and snowflakes with green and pink peppercorns. Use rosemary sprigs for garnish.

For Roasted Red Pepper Dip:

  • Pour all ingredients into a food processor or blender
  • Blend until all ingredients are incorporated, scraping down sides, about a minute total.

Notes