Dec 15, 2011

Vegan Christmas Tree Pastries

These tree-shaped pastries are easy and fun to make, and inspired by a post that has stuck in my head for a couple of years from VeganLovlie.  She used homemade pie crust pastry, but I went the quick route and used store-bought puff pastry.  Each package makes four 4-6" trees (more if you try making smaller ones), and you can fill them with anything you like- savory or sweet.


Start with your sheet of puff pastry and cut in half.  Then make two 1 to 1 1/2" cuts on the middle bottom for your tree trunk.  Then carefully score the outline of the tree (triangle) without cutting all the way through.  Trim the upper corners so you don't have too much dough to work with (use scraps for something else), then trim the bottom corners too.  Lastly, cut strips on either side of the tree- not an exact science, but about 1/2" each, stopping at your scored guide lines.


I added a layer of Tofutti cream cheese mixed with garlic salt, dried basil, and cracked black pepper, to make an herb spread.


Then I added a layer of a saute- spinach, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted pine nuts- sauteed in a little olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.  Make sure this mixture is not wet!


Starting from the top, simply fold each strip towards the center, overlapping one side, then the other side.  Wrap firmly over your filling.


When you get to the last two side strips, fold up the two bottom corners.  You may want to trim these a bit if it seems like too much dough.  Then go ahead and finish the two remaining side strips, tucking the last one under a bit.


Place it on a prepared baking sheet (I used parchment paper), and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.  Then broil the tops for a minute or two- watch it until it turns golden and puffs up. Let them cool a bit before picking them up with your hands. 



17 comments:

  1. Pretty good imagination to create something like this! I like it.

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  2. That is so cool! Very unique!

    http://haymarket8.blogspot.com

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  3. So festive and pretty! I've been wanting to make something with puff pastry, I think this may be it. :-)

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  4. I hope I can make something close to your veggie Christmas tree pastry. For sure even kids would not mind eating vegetables if it is presented in a nice way.

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  5. This is great..thank you..I will do that for our Christmas dinner...Thank you so much.

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  6. These are really great. Thank you so much for posting. I will make these for our Christmas dinner.

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  7. Those pastries look soooo prettyy! thanks for the step by step.. makes it seem easier than just written description! love the filling too!

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  8. Posted it on my facebook, so people can come here to get the instructions!
    Thanks DJ!

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  9. These are so pretty! Great idea!

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  10. Okay I may have just found what I'm making for Christmas dinner. Thanks!

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  11. This is epic! Now if I can actually make one of these, I might be too lazy to make another. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Cute! Such an easy way to add a bit more holiday cheer to almost any meal. :)

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  13. I was the only vegan at Xmas dinner last year so I made this for myself while everyone else had the traditional fare. It was amazing!! It is now going to be my annual tradition, can't wait to have it again this year! Thank you!

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  14. I think this would work also in a wreath shape. Then add a festive bow near the bottom.

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  15. had this today for christmas dinner, soooo yummy! left out the tofutti and piled on the gravy, didn't feel like i was missing out one bit, rather it seemed like i had the better meal :)

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  16. I recreated this yesterday, but changed the filling. Still awesome, so thanks a lot for the inspiration!!
    xoxo Romina from Holland

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  17. (I did changed the filling, but still vegan of course!)

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