Spinach and Cheese Christmas Tree

This adorable and deliciously cheesy and flaky Christmas tree is something I make for Christmas parties or just for the middle of the table at dinner, in various shapes around the whole year. It is so quick and yummy and can be made so quickly, yet it looks so complex you will wow any guest coming over by its adorable and delicious power!!

- 2 sheets of puff pastry (sit out for 5-10 minutes to soften)

- ½ cup parmesan cheese

- ½ cup mix cheddar and mozzarella cheese

- 200g frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed all excess water

- 150g softened cream cheese (room temp, do not microwave as it can become too runny)

- ¼ tsp nutmeg

- ½ tsp garlic powder

- ¼-1/2 tsp salt (this depends on how salty your cheese is / personal taste)

- ½ tsp ground black pepper

- ½ tsp onion powder

- 1 egg (+2 tsp water) for egg wash

- Plain flour, in case your pastry is sticky, and you need to roll it out.

- Pastry brush

- Rolling pin

- Pizza cutter/knife

- Mixing bowl

- Mixing spoon

First, you are going to make the delicious cheesy spinach filling by adding the spinach, cream cheese, cheeses and spices into a bowl and mix until everything is well combined.

This smell is amazing, and you know what, you can always try it now, I do because you may need to add a bit more salt or pepper depending on your taste preference.

Then you are going to cut each piece of pastry into 2 large triangles. If your pasty can be rolled out to make a longer triangle go ahead, it means more branches on your tree!! Just be sure to not make it too thin, the usual thickness of puff pastry is perfect (about ¼-1/3cm thick). The offcuts can be used to make smaller trees or little puffy decorations so do not throw them out!!

On your main large triangle spread out a generous amount of your spinach filling, leaving about ½ cm from the edge of your triangle, this is so that we can pinch the edges together, preventing the filling from slipping out.

Then take the other large triangle and place on top of the filling. Then with your finger pinch the edge of the pastry closed, you may find you create air bubbles in your pastry this is ok!!, you can get a rolling pin to roll out any excess air and then seal it up!!

To make your adorable branches on your tree, take your pizza cutter and cut out 1-2cm ‘branches’ on each side of the middle (tree trunk) of the triangle. Then take the ‘branch’ and slowly twist it about 3 times to make a beautiful little spiral on the tree. And repeat on both sides of the triangle.

To ensure our tree is golden brown and flaky we are going to brush it with an egg wash (whisk 1 egg and 2 teaspoons of water) and with a pastry brush, paint the egg wash all over the tree and branches. Then bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius (355 degrees Fahrenheit) 15-20 minutes until golden brown and flaky and perfection!!!!!

Serve warm and enjoy with your friends and family for Christmas!!!!!

This can also be made ahead and baked up to a day in advance, just re-heat in the oven before serving.