How do you fancy making this amazing puff pastry Christmas tree, filled with a spiced cranberry applesauce, topped with cinnamon and decorated with toddler-friendly treats?
Christmas is the perfect time to get little ones involved in the kitchen. Once school and work break up for the holidays, we love to roll up our sleeves and bake up all sorts of treats, from goodies for the family to eat, to gifts we can hand out over Christmas, or even edible tree decorations.
For the past few years, I've worked with Organix to highlight their campaign to champion good food with simple, no junk ingredients.
Even Christmas baking can look fab, taste fab and still be junk-free, so for this year's festivities, the kids and I made this fun, tasty puff pastry Christmas tree, which has no added sugar and is decorated with a range of Organix treats.
Here's how to make this pretty, tasty puff pastry Christmas tree.
Ingredients
- 1 eating apples peeled and diced
- 1/2 tsp mixed spice
- 320 g (11.3 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry
- 30 g (1.1 oz) dried cranberries chopped
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 50 g (1.8 oz) toddler-friendly goodies
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F). Place the chopped apple in a small pan with the cranberries and mixed spice, and approx 100ml (3.4 fl oz) of water.
Place over a medium heat and cook down gently while stirring until you have a thick, red applesauce. Note: some apples break down more easily than others, so if you need to, you can add more water, or blitz the sauce down with a hand blender.
Unroll your puff pastry and cut in half.
Place one of your pastry halves on a board lined with baking paper.
Spread the cooled applesauce all over the pastry, right to the edges.
Press the other pastry half on top.
Cut your Christmas tree shape.
Slice 1cm/0.5 inch strips either side, leaving a couple of centimetres of 'trunk' clear up the middle of the tree.
Twist each strip in the same direction all the way up both sides of the tree.
Brush all over with milk.
Sprinkle all over with the cinnamon.
Transfer on to a baking sheet. Adding a diamond and a couple of thin triangles, made from your offcuts.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until gently golden.
Once cooked and cooled, position the star in place and decorate with your choice of toddler-friendly goodies.
Enjoy!
What did you think of this fun toddler-friendly Christmas tree?
You’ll find lots more Christmas recipes at www.organix.com/christmas
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree
Is spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree easy to make?
Yes, this is such an easy fun recipe to do. With no added sugar, this simple but impactful tear and share Christmas tree is such a lovely addition to any Christmas party.
Once you’ve made the apple and cranberry sauce all you need to do is spread it over the ready-made puff pastry and cut the Christmas tree shape. Once you’re finished with the knife, get the kids to help twist up the branches, and bake. Finish off with a sprinkling of toddler-friendly treats. Allow your tree to cool before pulling apart, enjoy!
Will I need any special equipment for this recipe?
Everything you need to make this spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree should be easy to find in the average kitchen.
You’ll need a chopping board and knife to prepare the apple and cranberry, as well as cutting the Christmas tree to shape.
A small pan to make the apple sauce in, a pastry brush to wash with milk, a baking sheet to cook your tree on, and finally a wire rack for cooling.
The full list of equipment can be found on the recipe card below.
Where can I buy ready-rolled puff pastry?
You should be able to easily find ready-rolled puff pastry in the chilled aisle of the supermarket. In UK supermarkets it's usually near the butter. Some supermarkets also stock frozen ready-made pastry.
You can of course freeze ready-made puff pastry at home as well, I always like to have a packet in the freezer ready for a quick pie or festive bake like this. Thaw out frozen pastry in the fridge overnight.
How can I tell if dried cranberries have gone off?
Drying fruit has been a method of preservation for centuries, a way of storing the rich pickings of summer fruits for use later in the year. Dried cranberries when stored correctly can keep for up to a year. Make sure to store them in a sealed container in a cool dark spot, just in the cupboard or pantry is fine.
To check your dried cranberries are still ok to use, have a look for the Best Before End Date as a guide, then you can check how they look, smell and taste.
Dried fruit that has gone bad may lose its flavour, or smell rotten. Mould is unlikely to grow on dried fruit but is a sure sign it's gone off. Dried fruit will become harder over time but this isn’t necessarily a sign they have gone bad.
Always practice good food hygiene to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Is spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
This recipe is suitable for vegetarians without any changes.
To make this recipe vegan simply ensure you’re using vegan ready-made pastry, which most are now, and use plant-based milk rather than dairy milk to use as the wash on the pastry. Double-check anything you’re using for decoration is also suitable for vegans.
Is spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree gluten-free?
For this recipe I’m using ready-made puff pastry made with wheat-based flour, so no it's not suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.
That said you can get gluten-free ready-rolled puff pastry so look out for it if you want to make this gluten-free. Be sure to check the decorative elements are also gluten-free.
Is spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree keto-friendly?
This recipe is too high in carbohydrate to be considered keto-friendly.
Is spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree safe to eat while pregnant?
There is nothing in this recipe that should pose a risk to a pregnant woman, as long as all the ingredients are in good condition and the Christmas tree is made safely and hygienically.
A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice, if you have any questions or concerns please speak to a medical professional.
Is spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree suitable for babies and toddlers?
Yes! This recipe, unlike a lot of festive bakes, has no added sugar, the sweetness is coming in natural sugars from the cranberries and apple.
Make sure to supervise little ones when they are eating, they should be sitting up straight so they can swallow properly, so support them if you need to.
Break the pastry into manageable size pieces for them. Try giving them a piece to hold and try themselves.
The NHS has some great resources and guidance for feeding young children. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health care professional, this website does not give medical advice.
Can I make this recipe without cinnamon?
If you don’t like cinnamon, or don’t have any to hand you can leave it off this recipe no problem. It is bringing a lovely festive finish to this tear and share Christmas tree, how about using a light dusting of nutmeg, or mixed spice instead.
I haven’t got cranberries, can I use raisins?
Cranberries add to the festivities in this recipe but can be easily replaced with other dried fruit if you don’t have any.
I find raisins are the best replacement as they go so well with apple and cinnamon. Whatever you choose to use, make sure to chop it up so you can make smooth applesauce.
Can I add extra fruit to this recipe?
The apple sauce is the right amount not to overload the pastry, you could make some extra to serve with your tree as a dipping sauce.
You can also use different fruits to decorate the top instead of ready made toddler snacks. Something like blackberries cut in half would work well as a striking decoration.
Make sure to cut any additional fruits into manageable pieces, this is especially important for round fruits which need to be cut in half or quarters if this is being given to young children.
How should I store my spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree?
If you’re not serving immediately, once cooled, this spiced apple and cranberry Christmas tree should be kept in the fridge.
Find a container big enough to keep the tree in and carefully transfer it in, you might find it easier to keep your tree on the baking paper for a bit of support. If you don’t have a big enough box simply cover with cling film or beeswax wrap on a large plate.
How long does spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree keep?
Spiced apple and cranberry Christmas tree will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, and if frozen, up to a month in the freezer.
Can I leave spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree out on the counter?
You can leave this spiced apple and cranberry Christmas tree out for serving, but don’t leave it out for any longer than 2 hours in total as this will increase the risk of bacteria spreading on the food and it will no longer be safe to eat.
Can I make spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree ahead?
Yes, this is a great recipe to make ahead, and you have a few different options depending on how far ahead you want to make it.
Obviously, the pastry is already made and ready to go, just make sure if you’re using frozen pastry to get it out the night before to defrost in the fridge.
The apple and cranberry sauce can be made the day before, cooled, and kept in the fridge in a sealed container.
I find the tree is best served warm and fresh, but it's also great cold so you can make the tree the day before and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
This recipe also freezes well, though is quite delicate, so if you have space in the freezer you can make this well in advance and keep it in the freezer for up to a month.
Can I keep spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree in the refrigerator?
Yes, once cooled any leftovers need to be kept in the fridge, and if you’re making this recipe ahead it needs to be stored in the fridge too. Make sure the tree isn’t left out on the side for more than a total of two hours, this includes cooling time.
Can I freeze spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree?
Yes, this recipe freezes well though poses an issue with its size and delicate nature. This is made a little easier if you’re just freezing leftovers.
If you have a container large enough I’d recommended using that, if not you can keep your tree on a baking sheet and wrap well with cling film and a layer of tin foil, keep flat, and at the top of the freezer so other things don’t squash it.
If you know you want to freeze some do so as soon as possible after the tree has cooled, don’t freeze leftovers that have already sat in the fridge for 3 days as this has a higher risk of bacterial spread.
Onced thawed consume within 24 hours and don't refreeze already frozen food.
What is the best way to defrost spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree?
You can reheat this spiced apple and cranberry Christmas tree straight from frozen if you like or thaw out in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To cook from frozen preheat the oven to 160C(140C fan) and put the tree onto a lined baking sheet, cook for 20-25 minutes until hot right through, you can use a probe thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 71C (160F) so you know its properly thawed and cooked. If you’re worried the top will burn, cover with tin foil to protect it, and remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of cooking for the pastry to crisp up.
If you've thawed out the tree over night in the fridge, then it will only take about 10-15 minutes to reheat.
What is the best way to reheat spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree?
I actually love this tree cold, and if you're serving it to little ones it needs to be cooled down anyway.
If you do want to reheat, simply preheat the oven to 160C(140C fan) and put your tree on a lined baking sheet, heat through for 10-15 minutes.
Can I make spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree in a different quantity?
It’s so simple to make more or less of this spiced apple and cranberry Christmas tree. All you need to do is head down to the recipe card below where you’ll see the number of servings is set to 8, this uses one packet of pastry.
Click or hover over the number of servings and a little slider will come up that you can move up or down to get the number you want to make. All the ingredients will update automatically.
Can I make spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree in individual portions?
This recipe is designed as a big tear and share piece that people can pull apart and enjoy together. I haven’t tried making this recipe into individual portions but you could give it a go making mini Christmas trees.
It might be an idea to roughly sketch out the size of your trees on a piece of paper first, so you know how to divide up the pastry. I would recommend keeping the branches about 1cm wide so your small trees will have fewer branches than my big one.
Can I make spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
As we’re using ready made pastry theres no need to get the stand mixer out for this recipe.
Can I make spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree with a food processor?
If your applesauce is particularly lumpy you could use a food processor to create a smooth sauce. I find it easier to use a stick blender for small amounts like this, or even just a potato masher should work too.
How can I make sure spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree is perfectly cooked?
You’ll know when this spiced apple and cranberry Christmas tree is perfectly cooked when the pastry has puffed up and looks lovely and golden brown. The applesauce may be gently bubbling out of the twists.
Why did my spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree turn out dry and burnt?
A number of things may have happened to mean your Christmas tree turned out burnt, perhaps the oven was too hot, or it was left in the oven too long? Next time set the oven 10 degrees lower, and use a timer so you remember to check on the tree as it's cooking.
If your tree is a bit dry all is not lost, you could make another batch of the apple and cranberry sauce to use as a dipping sauce.
Why did my spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree turn out wet and undercooked?
It’s always a good idea to preheat the oven when baking, as some ovens can take up to 15 minutes to come up to temperature. If your tree is still looking pale, put it back into the oven for a further 5 to 10 minutes until it looks done.
Why didn’t my spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree rise?
There shouldn’t be any problem with this pull-apart tree rising, as we’re using ready-made puff pastry. That said it's important to keep the pastry cool and handle it as little as possible.
It's a good idea to get the pastry out of the fridge and let it relax for 5 minutes before you try rolling it out, this helps prevent the pastry from cracking.
Make sure to preheat the oven, if the oven isn’t hot enough the pastry won't rise successfully.
Why did my spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree taste bland?
This recipe is created with a few simple ingredients that when combined create a delightful no added sugar festive tree.
If you find the flavours bland you could play around with the fruits, or use a different spice sprinkle on top.
How can I add/change the flavours in this spiced apple and cranberry pull apart Christmas tree?
This recipe is super flexible, you can use the layering technique with pastry and any sauce you like really, play around with the spice dusting on top and decoration too, you can even make a savoury version if you like! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Pear and date sauce with ground cardamom and toddler treats decoration
- Apple and dried fig sauce with grated nutmeg and blackberry halves decoration
- Apple and raisin sauce with thyme and small chunks of cheese for decoration
Print this recipe for later
If you'd like to print this recipe to try later, just hit print on the recipe card below.
Cinnamon Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 eating apples peeled and diced
- 1/2 tsp mixed spice
- 320 g (11.3 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry
- 30 g (1.1 oz) dried cranberries chopped
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 50 g (1.8 oz) toddler-friendly goodies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F). Place the chopped apple in a small pan with the cranberries and mixed spice, and approx 100ml (3.4 fl oz) of water.
- Place over a medium heat and cook down gently while stirring until you have a thick, red applesauce. Note: some apples break down more easily than others, so if you need to, you can add more water, or blitz the sauce down with a hand blender.
- Unroll your puff pastry and cut in half.
- Place one of your pastry halves on a board lined with baking paper.
- Spread the cooled applesauce all over the pastry, right to the edges.
- Press the other pastry half on top.
- Cut your Christmas tree shape.
- Slice 1cm/0.5 inch strips either side, leaving a couple of centimetres of 'trunk' clear up the middle of the tree.
- Twist each strip in the same direction all the way up both sides of the tree.
- Brush all over with milk.
- Sprinkle all over with the cinnamon.
- Transfer on to a baking sheet. Adding a diamond and a couple of thin triangles, made from your offcuts.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until gently golden.
- Once cooked and cooled, position the star in place and decorate with your choice of toddler-friendly goodies.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is a commissioned post for Organix.
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Bindu Thomas says
Wow..this christmas tree looks so amazing and delicious! I love trying making new foods all time. Thank you so much.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! Really glad you like it.