If you’re looking for a festive appetizer that looks impressive but takes almost no time at all, these Pesto Crescent Christmas Tree Skewers are the holiday hero you need. They’re buttery, golden, and swirl all that delicious basil pesto into adorable little trees that disappear fast.
These bring back memories of holiday parties when I needed something quick, cute, and guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. The kids love them, and the adults hover around them, too. Plus, they make your kitchen smell amazing while they bake.
For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
- Why Christmas Tree Skewers are the perfect Holiday Appetizer
- Ingredients to make Pesto Christmas Tree Appetizers
- Kitchen tools to make Pesto Crescent Christmas Trees
- How to Make Pesto Crescent Christmas Tree Appetizers
- Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
- Eileen's Tips to make these Christmas Tree Appetizers
- Variations to making Christmas Tree Skewers
- FAQs to make the tastiest Crescent Christmas Tree Skewers
- Serving Suggestions
- Similar recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why Christmas Tree Skewers are the perfect Holiday Appetizer
- This recipe comes together in 20 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings or quick appetizers.
- You only need a handful of simple ingredients, all are easy to find at any grocery store.
- These little pesto trees look festive and fun, making them a guaranteed crowd pleaser at any holiday party.
If you love easy holiday appetizers, you might also enjoy my Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs, Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Lil Smokies, or Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.
Ingredients to make Pesto Christmas Tree Appetizers
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- crescent dough sheet
- basil pesto
- grated parmesan cheese
- mozzarella
Kitchen tools to make Pesto Crescent Christmas Trees
- pizza cutter
- baking sheet
- cheese grater
- wooden skewers
How to Make Pesto Crescent Christmas Tree Appetizers
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Unroll the dough sheet, and spread the pesto on it. Then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough lengthwise into 6 long strips.
- Take each strip and gently fold it back and forth to form a tree shape. Slide a wooden skewer through the center of each folded tree to hold it together.
- Place the trees on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Top with mozzarella stars and serve with pizza sauce for dipping.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the folded trees a few hours in advance. Keep them on a tray in the fridge until you're ready to bake.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked trees on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Eileen's Tips to make these Christmas Tree Appetizers
- Make sure the pesto layer is thin so the dough doesn’t get soggy.
- Don’t skip soaking the skewers. It prevents scorching while baking.
- Chill the dough for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing if it feels too soft.
Variations to making Christmas Tree Skewers
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Pesto: Use sun-dried tomato pesto for a red and green holiday combo.
- Spice: Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for a little heat.
- Cheese: Swap mozzarella stars for tiny cheddar cutouts or edible gold stars.
- Pastry: Puff pastry can be used.
FAQs to make the tastiest Crescent Christmas Tree Skewers
Yes, pinch the seams together to make one solid sheet.
You can try toothpicks, or leave them unsewered.
Serving Suggestions
I always serve this pesto appetizer alongside our holiday meal favorites, such as Pecan Praline Glazed Ham, Cheesy Green Beans, and these Candied Carrots.
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Pesto Christmas Tree Skewers
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 1 (8) ounce Crescent Dough Sheet
- 2 Tablespoon basil pesto
- 2 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Mozzarella cheese block for stars
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and soak your wooden skewers in water while you prepare the Crescent dough.
- Open the Crescent Dough Sheet and lay it on parchment paper for ease when forming the trees.
- Spread the pesto over the dough, along with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
- Using a pizza cutter (or knife) slice the dough, lengthwise, into 6 long strips.
- Fold the dough back and forth, on top of itself, until you create a Christmas tree form.
- Poke a wooden skewer into the center of the tree, so that it holds its shape.
- Place the trees on a baking sheet, and bake for approximately 10 minutes.
- While the trees are baking, cut the mozzarella cheese block into small stars.
- Once the trees are golden brown, carefully remove them from the oven, top each with Mozzarella cheese stars, and garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Serve with marinara sauce, enjoy
NOTES
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the folded trees a few hours in advance. Keep them on a tray in the fridge until you're ready to bake.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked trees on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
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