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Matcha Puff Pastry Christmas Tree on a cooling rack

Matcha Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Matcha Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is an easy dessert to make for any Christmas party or gathering.  Puff pastry is delicious combined with the sweetness and nuttiness of the matcha powder mixture will be the perfect addition to your holiday get-together menu. EASY to make and the hardest part is waiting for the puff pastry to defrost. Let's check out this easy recipe.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Defrost Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 0

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 sheets puff pastry I used 10-inch X 10-inch sheets
  • 2 tsp matcha powder Ceremonial or Culinary Grade
  • 3 tbsp condensed milk
  • 1 tbsp hot milk
  • 1 egg yolk
  • icing sugar optional

Instructions
 

  • Defrost puff pastry. Take out of the freezer 2 hours before you plan to start making the Christmas tree puff. Let it defrost on the counter.
  • Mix the matcha spread. Prepare the matcha mixture by combining hot milk with sifted matcha powder. Stir until it’s mixed well. Add the condensed milk to the matcha and stir until well combined. Set aside until the puff pastry is ready to use.
  • Prepare the puff pastry. Take the puff pastry and unroll. Use a rolling pin to roll out creases. The puff pastry sheets I get in stores come in squares (10-inch X 10-inch). It will very dependent on where you’re located. I have seen puff pastry sheets come in a rectangular shape. 
  • Cut puff pastry into a tree shape. There are two methods for cutting out the tree shape. I would suggest placing both sheets on top and cutting them. You can also cut them separately.
    Option 1 - Wing it
    Step 1 Cut the slits for the tree trunk at the bottom. In the middle cut ½ inch slits on left and right. The trunk will be 1 inch in height.
    Step 2 To create the tree top place three marks. The first mark on the top of the puff pastry. The second and third will be on the left and right sides of the puff pastry 1 inch from the bottom.
    Step 3 Cut the diagonal lines from the top to the left and right. Cut the bottoms horizontally ensuring to keep the tree truck intact.
    Option 2 - Use a template
    Step 1 Use parchment paper and cut out the exact same size as the puff pastry.
    Step 2 On the parchment paper cut the slits for the tree trunk at the bottom. In the middle cut ½ inch slits on the left and right. The trunk will be 1 inch in height.
    Step 3 To create the tree top place three marks. The first mark on the top of the puff pastry. The second and third will be on the left and right sides of the puff pastry 1 inch from the bottom.
    Step 4 Cut the diagonal lines from the top to the left and right. Cut the bottoms horizontally ensuring to keep the truck intact.
    Step 5 Place the parchment paper on top of the puff pastry and cut the puff pastry ensuring to cut along the outside of the parchment paper.
  • Spread the matcha spread. Place one sheet of the Christmas tree on your baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the matcha mixture. Place the second cut sheet of puff pastry on top.
  • Cut and twist the branches. On both sides cut horizontally from both sides but leave one inch in the centre uncut to keep the Christmas tree intact. DO NOT CUT all the way through. I cut the horizontal lines approximately 1 inch apart. Then start twisting. Press the edges of the twisted branches down at the ends
  • Egg wash. Using a brush to cover the top of the puff pastry with egg wash to give it a nice golden color.
  • Preheat oven to 375 ° F. Bake for 15 minutes or until the entire Christmas tree puff is puffed up
  • Cool and top if icing sugar. Take the puff pastry out of the oven and let it cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and with the extra matcha mixture I brush it lightly over the puff pastry and dust with some icing sugar.

Notes

Sift the matcha. Matcha powder clumps easily and sifting it prior to mixing it with the hot milk will ensure you get an even green color. 
Defrost the puff pastry. Make sure to defrost the puff pastry for 2 hours on the counter before using. This will ensure there are no cracks when working with the puff pastry. 
Assemble the Christmas Tree on the baking tray. It's easier to do the cutting and twisting on the baking tray. I found it difficult to transfer to the banking tray as it softens up and all the matcha mixture gets messy during the transfer process.
Keyword Matcha, Puff Pastry
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