Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Nutella Dessert

This show-stopping dessert is easier than it looks—flaky puff pastry twisted into a festive tree shape, with rich, gooey Nutella in every bite. It’s the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas table, a fun baking project for the whole family, and it comes together with just a few simple ingredients in under an hour .

Instead of wrestling with complicated dough, this recipe uses ready-rolled puff pastry and a clever technique of cutting and twisting to create a beautiful edible tree. The Nutella gets all warm and melty inside the pastry layers, while an egg wash gives everything a gorgeous golden shine. Finish with a dusting of icing sugar for a snowy effect, and watch it disappear .

How to Make a Puff Pastry Nutella Christmas Tree

Follow these simple steps for a stunning centrepiece dessert.

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper .
2. Spread the Nutella. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll the thawed puff pastry sheet into a rectangle. Spread the Nutella evenly over the entire surface, leaving a small border around the edges to help seal .
3. Fold and shape. Fold the pastry in half, like closing a book, to create a Nutella sandwich. Press the edges gently to seal .
4. Cut the tree shape. Using a sharp knife, cut the folded pastry into a large triangle. This will form the body of your Christmas tree .
5. Create the branches. Along both diagonal edges of the triangle, cut horizontal strips about 1 inch wide, stopping about an inch before the centre of the tree. This centre strip becomes the trunk .
6. Twist the branches. Gently pick up each cut strip and twist it away from you a couple of times to create a spiral branch effect. Repeat on both sides .
7. Add a star. Use leftover pastry scraps to cut out a small star shape. Place it at the top of the tree .
8. Apply egg wash. Brush the beaten egg generously over the entire tree and star. This will give it a beautiful golden-brown finish .
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and deep golden brown .
10. Cool and decorate. Let the tree cool slightly, then dust with icing sugar for a snowy look. Decorate with cranberries or pomegranate seeds if desired .

5 Tips for a Perfect Puff Pastry Tree

Keep it cold. Make sure your puff pastry is properly thawed but still cold when you work with it. If it gets too warm, it becomes sticky and won’t puff as well .

Don’t overfill. Use just enough Nutella to coat the pastry—about 250g is perfect. Too much filling will leak out during baking .

Use a sharp knife. A sharp knife or pizza cutter makes clean cuts and prevents the pastry from tearing. This is especially important for creating neat branches .

Twist gently. When twisting the branches, be gentle. Twist just enough to create a spiral effect—if you twist too much, the pastry can tear .

Watch the baking time. Ovens vary, so start checking around 15 minutes. The tree should be puffed and deep golden brown, not burnt .

3 Delicious Variations to Try

Cherry and Nutella Tree. For a fruity twist, spread a layer of cherry jam over the pastry before adding the Nutella. The tartness of the cherries balances the sweetness perfectly .

Mini Christmas Tree Skewers. Cut the pastry into strips, fold accordion-style into small tree shapes, and thread onto skewers. These are perfect for individual servings .

Stacked Mini Trees. Use tree-shaped cookie cutters to create mini pastries. Layer them with Nutella between each piece for a stacked, 3D tree effect .

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover pastry tree in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days . To reheat and bring back some of its crispiness, pop it into a preheated oven at 150°C for 5-7 minutes.

This dessert is best enjoyed warm when the Nutella is still gooey and melty, but it’s also delicious once completely cool .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different filling?
Yes! This recipe works beautifully with other spreads like chocolate-hazelnut alternatives, peanut butter fluff, or even a cinnamon-sugar butter mixture .

Why didn’t my pastry puff up?
The most common causes are using warm pastry, an oven that isn’t hot enough, or not chilling the dough before baking. Make sure your pastry is cold and your oven is fully preheated to 200°C .

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the tree up to the point of twisting the branches, then refrigerate it on the baking sheet for up to 4 hours before baking. This actually helps the pastry hold its shape better.

Can I freeze the unbaked tree?
Yes, freeze the assembled (unbaked) tree on a baking sheet until solid, then wrap tightly. Bake from frozen, adding 5-8 minutes to the cooking time.

How do I get the branches to stay twisted?
The pastry will hold its twist naturally as it bakes and puffs up. If you’re worried about them unravelling, just make sure each branch is twisted firmly but gently before baking.