1-Let’s dive into the fun part making your ham cheese pastry tree! Start by preheating your oven to 200°C and laying out one piece of semi-defrosted puff pastry on a clean surface. This sets the stage for a crisp, golden finish that everyone will enjoy.

2-Next, add a layer of the 4 slices deli ham evenly across the pastry, followed by the 6 slices cheese to create that melty goodness. Place the second piece of puff pastry over the top and press gently to seal everything in. Use a pizza cutter to slice the layered pastry into 8 equal strips, turning simple ingredients into holiday magic.

3-Now, shape each strip by folding from the bottom with thicker folds that thin out toward the top, forming a tree. Insert a skewer vertically through each one, leaving about 1 cm at the top for easy handling. Arrange them on a lined baking tray and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown, then brush with a mix of melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley for extra flavor.

4-Finally, cut star shapes from the remaining piece of cheese and place them on top before serving. If you’re curious about puff pastry basics, explore more puff pastry ideas to enhance your skills. This process takes about 5 minutes to prep and 20-25 minutes to cook, totaling around 25-30 minutes.