Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers Recipe
Introduction
These Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers are a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining creamy spinach and artichoke filling with flaky puff pastry, they’re both eye-catching and irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 (10-oz.) bag frozen spinach, thawed, liquid squeezed out
- 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 3/4 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- All-purpose flour, for surface
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-oz. box), thawed according to package directions
- 12 skewers
- 6 slices Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the squeezed spinach, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and chopped artichoke hearts. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well.
- Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets to about a 15″ x 12″ rectangle, trimming edges if needed.
- Step 4: Spread the spinach mixture evenly over one sheet of puff pastry. Place the second sheet on top, pressing lightly to adhere the layers together.
- Step 5: With the long side facing you, cut the layered pastry into twelve 1-inch thick strips.
- Step 6: Take one strip at a time and fold it back and forth in a zig-zag pattern, making each fold slightly narrower toward the top to form a Christmas tree shape. Keep the filling side facing up.
- Step 7: Skewer each tree from the bottom through the top, leaving about 1/2 inch of the skewer visible at the top. Gently separate pastry layers if needed to avoid flattening.
- Step 8: Arrange the skewers on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the puff pastry is golden brown. Let cool slightly.
- Step 9: Stack two slices of Provolone cheese and cut out small star shapes using a small cookie cutter or paring knife. Repeat to make four stars total. Carefully skewer one star onto the top of each tree.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh artichoke hearts instead of canned for a brighter flavor and firmer texture.
- Swap mozzarella for a sharper cheese like Parmesan to deepen the flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a little minced jalapeño or extra crushed red pepper to the filling.
- Make these ahead and bake just before serving to keep the pastry crisp.
Storage
Store any leftover skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the pastry soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, use about 6 cups fresh spinach, sautéed until wilted and then thoroughly drained and chopped. This will keep the filling from becoming watery.
Can these skewers be made vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute cream cheese and mozzarella with plant-based alternatives and ensure the puff pastry is vegan. Season the filling accordingly for a tasty dairy-free appetizer.
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Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 skewers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers are a delightful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of creamy spinach, artichoke, and cheese are sandwiched between flaky puff pastry, shaped into charming tree shapes on skewers, and baked to golden perfection. Topped with Provolone cheese stars, they deliver a savory and eye-catching treat that’s both fun to make and delicious to serve.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 (10-oz.) bag frozen spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out
- 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Pastry & Assembly
- All-purpose flour, for dusting surface
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-oz. box), thawed according to package directions
- 12 wooden skewers
- 6 slices Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare filling: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the thawed spinach (with excess liquid squeezed out), softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and chopped artichoke hearts. Season the mixture with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Roll out puff pastry: Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll out each sheet of puff pastry to a 15″ x 12″ rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Trim edges if necessary to achieve uniform size.
- Assemble the layers: Evenly spread the spinach-artichoke filling over one sheet of puff pastry. Carefully place the second puff pastry sheet on top, pressing lightly to adhere the layers together.
- Cut into strips and shape trees: With the long side facing you, cut the layered puff pastry into 12 strips about 1 inch thick. Take one strip at a time and fold it back and forth in a zig-zag pattern, each fold narrower than the last, to form a Christmas tree shape. Make sure the filling side faces up for best presentation.
- Skewer and arrange: Insert a wooden skewer from the bottom through the top of each folded tree, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of skewer visible at the top. Gently separate layers if needed so the tree shape stays open and not flattened. Arrange the skewered trees on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the trees: Bake in the preheated oven until the puff pastry is golden brown and cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Create cheese stars: Stack two slices of Provolone cheese and use a small star-shaped cookie cutter or a paring knife to cut out four small stars per stack. Repeat with remaining Provolone slices.
- Top the trees: Carefully skewer the Provolone stars onto the top of each Christmas tree skewer as festive toppers. Serve warm or at room temperature for holiday appetizers.
Notes
- Ensure excess liquid is squeezed thoroughly from thawed spinach to prevent soggy pastry.
- You can prepare these skewers a few hours in advance and bake just before serving.
- Substitute Provolone stars with Parmesan or cheddar if preferred.
- Use thawed but cold puff pastry to make rolling and folding easier.
- For a spicier kick, increase red pepper flakes slightly or add a dash of garlic powder to the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spinach artichoke, Christmas appetizer, puff pastry skewers, holiday snacks, vegetarian appetizers, festive finger foods
