Flaky pastry bites topped with cheese, tomatoes, and olives, shaped like festive Christmas trees.
# What You'll Need:
→ Puff Pastry
01 - 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry (approx. 8.8 oz), thawed if frozen
→ Sauce
02 - 3 tablespoons pizza or marinara sauce
→ Cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (approx. 3.5 oz)
04 - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (approx. 1 oz)
→ Vegetables & Toppings
05 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 8 black olives, pitted and sliced
07 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 16 Christmas tree shapes using a cookie cutter or cut triangles for a tree-like effect.
03 - Place the pastry trees evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each pastry shape, leaving a small border at the edges.
05 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan uniformly over the sauce.
06 - Top each tree with halved cherry tomatoes and sliced black olives to mimic decorative ornaments.
07 - Sprinkle dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper over the toppings.
08 - Lightly brush the exposed edges of the pastry with olive oil to promote a golden finish.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until the pastry puffs, turns golden brown, and cheese melts.
10 - Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and optionally garnish with fresh basil. Serve warm.
