Poinsettia Puff Pastry

A festive and elegant savory pastry shaped like a poinsettia filled with herbed cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes perfect for holiday entertaining.

I first served this at a holiday gathering and everyone was amazed at how beautiful and tasty it was.

Ingredients

• Pastry: 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed , 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
• Filling: 200 g (7 oz) cream cheese softened , 50 g (1.75 oz) grated Parmesan cheese , 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil , 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives , 1 garlic clove minced , ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper , ½ tsp lemon zest
• Garnish: 6 sun-dried tomatoes finely chopped , 1 tbsp olive oil , 2 tbsp pine nuts (optional) , Fresh basil leaves (for decoration)

Instructions

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2:

In a bowl mix the cream cheese Parmesan basil chives garlic black pepper and lemon zest until well combined.

Step 3:

Unroll one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly leaving a 1 cm (½ inch) border.

Step 4:

Sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the filling.

Step 5:

Place the second pastry sheet on top. Gently press the edges to seal.

Step 6:

Place the filled pastry onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7:

Place a small glass upside down in the center (do not cut through). Using a sharp knife cut the pastry from the edge of the glass outward into 16 even strips.

Step 8:

Twist each strip twice away from the center to create petals.

Step 9:

Brush the entire pastry with egg wash. Sprinkle pine nuts over the petals if using.

Step 10:

Bake for 22 25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.

Step 11:

Remove the glass and garnish the center with additional sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil leaves to resemble a poinsettia.

Step 12:

Let cool slightly before serving.

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This recipe always brings joy to our family gatherings and is a true holiday favorite.

Required Tools

Baking sheet parchment paper sharp knife mixing bowl pastry brush small glass (for shaping)

Notes

For extra flavor add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the filling Serve with a light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc.

Nutritional Information

Calories 250 Total Fat 16 g Carbohydrates 19 g Protein 6 g

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This impressive appetizer is simple to prepare and sure to impress your guests.

Kitchen Guide

→ How do I prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy?

Ensure the cream cheese filling is smooth and not too wet. Also, spreading it evenly with a small border helps keep the layers separated, preventing sogginess.

→ Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried?

Fresh tomatoes have higher moisture content, which may affect the pastry's texture. Roasted red peppers can be a better fresh substitute.

→ What is the purpose of placing a glass in the center before cutting?

The glass prevents cutting through the center, keeping the layers intact while creating evenly sized strips to twist into petals.

→ Can I prepare the pastry in advance?

You can assemble it ahead and refrigerate briefly, but bake shortly before serving to maintain flakiness and texture.

→ Are pine nuts essential for this dish?

Pine nuts add subtle crunch and flavor, but they are optional and can be omitted for nut-free preferences.