Description
A festive and delicious Spinach Dip Christmas Tree Appetizer made with flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy spinach, artichoke, and cheese mixture. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bite-sized rolls are baked to golden perfection and arranged in a charming Christmas tree shape for an eye-catching presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 6 ounces frozen spinach, defrosted and liquid squeezed out
- 13.75 ounces quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or cheddar blend (fiesta blend, triple cheddar, cheddar-jack blend)
Pastry & Finish
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 whole egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional garnish: finely chopped tomato for a pop of red color
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped artichoke hearts, defrosted and drained spinach, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly mixed to form the filling.
- Assemble Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on the parchment-lined baking sheet using a rolling pin. Spread the prepared spinach-artichoke mixture evenly over the pastry surface. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the filling. Carefully roll up the puff pastry jellyroll style, starting from one edge, to create a log.
- Slice Rolls and Arrange: Cut the rolled pastry into ¼ inch thick slices, which should yield about 16 individual rolls. Arrange these cut rolls on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up, in the shape of a Christmas tree for a festive touch.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Beat the whole egg in a small bowl and brush the egg wash over the entire arranged Christmas tree to give it a golden color when baked. Bake in the preheated oven for 26 to 28 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through.
- Optional Garnish: Once baked, you can garnish the Christmas tree with finely chopped tomato pieces for a bright pop of red color to mimic ornaments, enhancing the festive appearance.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the defrosted spinach to avoid a soggy filling.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the rolled puff pastry cleanly into even slices to maintain shape during baking.
- The cheese blend can be customized based on preference, but a sharp cheddar or a flavorful blend adds the best taste.
- This appetizer is best served warm, but can be made ahead and reheated gently in the oven.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the puff pastry used contains no animal-derived ingredients.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste if you prefer less salt or spice.
