Yesterday morning, I was sipping my coffee and scrolling through holiday baking ideas when I realized I needed something festive but not too complicated for our family gathering. That’s when I remembered these adorable cream and jam puff pastry trees—they look absolutely stunning on a dessert table, but they’re surprisingly easy to make with just a few ingredients. I love how the flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry pair with sweet jam and billowy whipped cream to create a dessert that’s both elegant and comforting. These little Christmas tree stacks are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or even Christmas morning breakfast. The best part? You can make them ahead and assemble them just before serving. Let’s get started.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Impressively festive appearance that looks like it came from a fancy bakery but takes minimal effort
- Only 4-5 main ingredients including store-bought puff pastry for ultimate convenience
- Customizable fillings to suit any taste—raspberry, strawberry, cherry jam, or even Nutella
- Make-ahead friendly since you can bake the pastry stars in advance and assemble when ready
- Perfect for Christmas gatherings as an eye-catching centerpiece that guests will love photographing
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1-2 sheets puff pastry (thawed if frozen, 375g pack)
- ½-1 cup heavy cream (thickened cream)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 125g mascarpone cheese (optional, for richer cream)
- ¼-½ cup jam (cherry, raspberry, strawberry, or peach)
Why we use puff pastry: The buttery, flaky layers create a crispy base that contrasts beautifully with the soft cream filling.
Best substitute for mascarpone: Use cream cheese or skip it entirely and just whip the heavy cream with sugar—both work wonderfully.
Jam options: Cherry and raspberry are classic holiday choices, but any flavor works. Peach jam offers a sweeter, less tart option.
Heavy cream tip: Make sure it’s cold from the refrigerator for best whipping results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C fan-forced (220°C conventional or 390-430°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Unroll puff pastry onto a lightly floured work surface and use star-shaped cookie cutters in 4 different sizes.
- Cut multiple stars of each size until all the pastry is used—you’ll need sets of 4 stars per tree.
- Arrange stars on the prepared baking tray and place small cookie cutters in the corners.
- Add second tray on top resting on the cutters to help pastry rise evenly and prevent puffing too much.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until stars are golden brown and crispy, then remove and cool completely.
- Whip the cream by combining heavy cream, mascarpone, and powdered sugar in a bowl until soft peaks form.
- Transfer to piping bag for easier assembly and neater presentation.
- Assemble each tree by placing the largest star on your plate, adding a dollop of jam, then piping cream on top.
- Continue layering with the next-size star, more jam and cream, finishing with the smallest star on top and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Serving Suggestions
These cream and jam puff pastry trees make a stunning centerpiece for Christmas dessert tables or holiday brunches. Serve them individually plated with a drizzle of extra jam on the side and a sprig of fresh mint for color. They’re perfect for Christmas morning alongside hot chocolate or coffee, making breakfast feel extra special. For holiday parties, arrange multiple trees on a tiered stand dusted with powdered sugar to resemble snow. The individual portions make them ideal for cookie exchanges where guests want something a bit more elegant than traditional cookies.
Variations and Suggestions (Make it Yours)
- Chocolate version: Replace jam with Nutella or chocolate spread for a rich, indulgent twist
- Lemon cream filling: Add lemon zest and juice to the whipped cream for a bright, citrusy flavor
- Mixed berry: Use a combination of raspberry and strawberry jam for more complex flavor
- Pistachio cream: Replace half the whipped cream with pistachio spread for a festive green color
- Savory option: Use pesto and brie instead of jam and cream for an appetizer version
Selena Trump’s Tips for Recipe Success
- Use larger star cutters for easiest assembly—smaller stars become too fiddly to stack neatly
- Chill your bowl and beaters for 10 minutes before whipping cream for faster, fluffier results
- Don’t overfill with jam—a small dollop is enough; too much makes the trees unstable and messy
- Assemble just before serving to keep the pastry crispy; assembled trees can get soggy after 2-3 hours
- Common mistake: Not cooling the pastry stars completely before assembly causes the cream to melt and slide off
- Bake the scraps: Roll leftover puff pastry, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake for a chef’s treat
Storage and Make-Ahead
Bake the puff pastry stars up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness. Prepare the whipped cream filling up to 1 day ahead and keep refrigerated in the piping bag. Assemble the trees no more than 1-2 hours before serving for best texture—the moisture from the cream and jam will eventually soften the pastry. If you need to transport them, assemble on-site rather than assembled at home. These don’t freeze well once assembled, but unbaked puff pastry stars can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Other Recipes from mateorecipes.blog
While I don’t have your specific internal links available, consider pairing these puff pastry trees with other easy holiday desserts that offer similar wow-factor with minimal effort. You might enjoy exploring other no-bake or quick-assembly Christmas treats that let you spend more time with family and less time in the kitchen. Look for recipes featuring festive flavors like cranberry, cinnamon, or chocolate that complement these cream and jam trees beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
While phyllo dough would work, puff pastry creates those beautiful flaky layers that are essential to this recipe’s texture and appearance. Phyllo is much thinner and more delicate, making it harder to cut stars and stack neatly.
How many trees does one sheet of puff pastry make?
One standard 375g sheet of puff pastry typically makes 6-8 small trees depending on your star cutter sizes. If making for a party, plan on 2 sheets.
What if my cream won’t whip to stiff peaks?
Make sure your cream is very cold and contains at least 30% fat (heavy cream or thickened cream). Low-fat cream won’t whip properly. Also check that your bowl and beaters are completely clean and dry.
Can I make these without a piping bag?
Absolutely! Simply spread the cream with a small offset spatula or spoon. It won’t look quite as neat, but it will still taste delicious.
What other cookie cutter shapes work for this recipe?
Stars are traditional, but you could use circles for a modern look, hearts for Valentine’s Day, or any graduated sizes that stack well. Just make sure you have 3-4 different sizes.
Do these need to be refrigerated?
Once assembled, yes—refrigerate them since they contain dairy cream. However, bring them to room temperature 10 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
These cream and jam puff pastry trees have become my go-to dessert when I want to impress without stress during the busy holiday season. The combination of crispy pastry, sweet jam, and fluffy cream is absolutely irresistible, and every time I serve them, guests ask for the recipe. I’d love to hear which jam flavor you chose and how your trees turned out—did you try any creative variations? Share your beautiful creations and let me know if these became a new holiday tradition in your home!