Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
I’m back with another showstopper centerpiece for the holidays, and today it’s a spinach puff pastry Christmas tree! This is such a good one for adding to your festive repertoire, and if you loved my Christmas tree bruschetta and Christmas tree cheese board, I think this one will be right up your street too.
Two layers of buttery puff pastry are filled with creamy, cheesy spinach dip (we’re making it from scratch for the best possible flavor, but don’t worry, it’s super easy), shaped into a Christmas tree, and twisted into golden, flaky “branches”.
It bakes up into the ultimate party centerpiece — warm, shareable, and so satisfying to tear apart piece by piece. You can prep it ahead, bake it just before guests arrive, and watch it disappear faster than any cookie tray!
Ingredients
Want to save this one for later? You’ll find a printable recipe card with all the details at the bottom of this post. Go ahead and print it or tuck it into your holiday recipe folder, because once you make this, it’s one you’ll want to come back to every December. There’s nothing worse than remembering “that amazing tree appetizer” and not being able to find it again!
For the Spinach Dip:
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Frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained) – The star of the filling. Make sure it’s well drained so your pastry stays crisp, not soggy.
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Cream cheese (softened) – Makes the dip rich, creamy, and perfectly spreadable.
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Mozzarella cheese – Adds that gooey, melty pull when you tear off a branch.
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Parmesan cheese – For a little salty, nutty flavor that balances the creaminess.
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Garlic powder & onion powder – Easy seasonings that bring depth and flavor without overpowering.
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Salt & pepper – Just enough to make everything pop.
For the Christmas Tree:
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Puff pastry sheets (thawed) – The buttery, flaky base for your festive tree.
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Melted butter – Brushed on top for that gorgeous golden finish.
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Garlic powder – Mixed into the butter to add flavor and make your kitchen smell amazing.
How To Make Your Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
- Make the spinach filling:
In a medium bowl, mix together the spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until everything’s smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the tree:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into a large triangle — this will be the base of your tree. Transfer it to the baking sheet.
Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the triangle.Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry and cut it into another large triangle. Place it on top of the filling and trim the edges so both layers match.With a sharp knife, make horizontal cuts on each side of the triangle, leaving a solid strip down the center for the trunk. Twist each strip a few times to look like branches.
- Add some flavor:
Mix melted butter with garlic powder, then brush it all over the puff pastry for that perfect golden finish.
- Bake:
Pop it in the oven for 30–35 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and beautifully golden. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. - Serve:
Serve warm, tear off a branch, and watch it disappear. It’s festive, shareable, and a guaranteed hit at any holiday party.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
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Make ahead: You can assemble the tree a few hours before baking — just cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to pop it in the oven. Perfect for party prep!
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Fridge: If you’ve got leftovers (a rare occurrence), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until the pastry crisps back up. Skip the microwave if you can — it softens the pastry.
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Freezer option: You can freeze the baked tree once it’s completely cooled. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to a month. Reheat straight from frozen at 350°F until hot and flaky again.
Serving Ideas
This spinach puff pastry Christmas tree is the kind of appetizer that disappears fast, so definitely serve it where people can grab a branch and go!
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On the party table: Place it on a large platter or wooden board and surround it with crackers, cherry tomatoes, or sliced veggies for color.
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Add dips: Serve with a little bowl of marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping — it’s already delicious, but the dips make it next-level.
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For extra flair: Sprinkle a little Parmesan over the top right after baking, or add a few pomegranate seeds for a festive “ornament” effect.
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Pair it with: A glass of bubbly, a holiday cocktail, or something cozy like mulled wine. It works for brunch, dinner parties, or even casual family nights.
Variations for The Holidays
Once you’ve mastered the classic spinach version, it’s easy (and fun) to switch things up!
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Pesto & Mozzarella: Spread a layer of basil pesto and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella before adding the top sheet of pastry. It bakes into a gorgeous green tree that smells incredible.
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Pizza Tree: Use marinara sauce, mozzarella, and mini pepperoni slices for a Christmas tree that tastes like a pizza party.
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Artichoke Dip Twist: Replace the spinach filling with artichoke dip for a slightly tangier version — perfect if you’re an artichoke lover.
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Cheesy Bacon Ranch: Stir cooked bacon bits and a sprinkle of ranch seasoning into the filling for something rich and smoky.
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Sweet Tree: Go dessert-style! Skip the savory filling and use Nutella, peanut butter, or cinnamon sugar instead. Dust with powdered sugar for a holiday showstopper.
Each version bakes up golden, flaky, and party-ready — so you can make a new one every year (or, let’s be real, every weekend in December).
Making It With Kids
This is a great one to get the kids involved with!:
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Little helpers (ages 2–4): Let them sprinkle cheese into the spinach dip, help mix the filling, or brush the butter on the pastry before baking. They’ll love “painting” with the pastry brush.
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Bigger kids (ages 5–7): They can help spread the spinach mixture, lay the pastry sheets, and even twist the “branches” of the tree (with a little supervision).
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Older kids (8+): Put them in charge of decorating! They can twist, brush, and even sprinkle extra Parmesan “snow” on top before it goes into the oven.
The best part? They’ll be so proud when everyone oohs and aahs over the finished tree!
Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Ingredients
For the Spinach Dip:
- 1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Christmas Tree:
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Make the spinach filling:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until everything’s smooth and well combined.
Assemble the tree:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into a large triangle — this will be the base of your tree. Transfer it to the baking sheet.
- Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the triangle.
- Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry and cut it into another large triangle. Place it on top of the filling and trim the edges so both layers match.
- With a sharp knife, make horizontal cuts on each side of the triangle, leaving a solid strip down the center for the trunk. Twist each strip a few times to look like branches.
Add some flavor:
- Mix melted butter with garlic powder, then brush it all over the puff pastry for that perfect golden finish.
Bake:
- Pop it in the oven for 30–35 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and beautifully golden. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Serve:
- Serve warm, tear off a branch, and watch it disappear. It’s festive, shareable, and a guaranteed hit at any holiday party.
If you make this one, I’d really love to hear about! It is, of course, super Instagram worthy, so you can tag me over there @slimmingviolet. I’d also really appreciate it if you could leave a comment below. It helps me to understand more about the recipes you enjoy creating at home, so I create more for you in the future!
