3 Ingredient Nutella Christmas Tree – Easy Festive Treat

Every December I get the same text from my sister: 'bring the tree.' She doesn't mean a pine one. She means this 3 ingredient Nutella Christmas Tree, a flaky puff pastry shape filled with chocolate hazelnut spread that I first threw together years ago when I was short on time and long on holiday spirit.

Here's why it works: three things you probably already have, one baking sheet, and a finished centerpiece that makes people gasp before they even taste it. My kids fight over the crispy outer branches, and my husband goes straight for the gooey middle.

If you can spread Nutella on toast, you can make this. I promise. Let's build a tree.

About the Ingredients

2 sheets puff pastry (about 17.3 oz / 490g total), thawed but still cold

Frozen puff pastry is the shortcut hero here. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, not on the counter, so it stays cold and puffs tall. Pepperidge Farm is reliable, or use a good all-butter brand for the flakiest layers.

1 cup (280g) Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread

Any chocolate hazelnut spread works, including store brands or a homemade version. If yours is stiff, microwave it 10 seconds at a time until it spreads like soft peanut butter, never hot or it will tear the dough.

1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

This egg wash is your glue and your shine. No egg? Brush with 2 tablespoons heavy cream or melted butter instead for a slightly softer, less glossy finish.

Optional: 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting

A snowy dusting sells the Christmas look. You can also use a light sift of cocoa powder for a 'chocolate snow' effect that won't disappear as fast.

Optional: 1/4 cup (30g) sliced almonds

Toasted almonds add crunch to the branches. Skip them for nut allergies, or swap in holiday sprinkles pressed on right after the egg wash so they stick.

Tips & Tricks

Keep the pastry cold

Work quickly and pop the assembled tree in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking. Warm dough turns greasy and slumps instead of rising.

Don't overfill the center

Too much Nutella in the middle makes the trunk sink and leak. A thin, even layer about 1/8 inch thick is the sweet spot.

Cut clean, even strips

Use a sharp knife or pizza wheel and cut straight through both layers. Ragged edges seal unevenly and the branches twist into a mess.

Seal the edges well

Press the outer border firmly with a fork before twisting so the filling stays put during the hot oven blast.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Thaw and preheat

Thaw the puff pastry in the fridge overnight or for 40 minutes at room temperature until pliable but cold. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Roll and layer

Unroll one pastry sheet onto the parchment and gently roll it to smooth the seams. Spread the Nutella in a thin, even layer, leaving a 1-inch border all the way around.

3. Top with pastry

Lay the second pastry sheet directly on top and press the edges together lightly with your fingers. You now have a filled rectangle ready to shape.

4. Cut the tree

Using a sharp knife or pizza wheel, cut the rectangle into a wide triangle tree shape, saving the scraps. Cut a small trunk rectangle at the bottom center and set it aside.

5. Slice the branches

Starting about 1 inch from the center, cut horizontal strips down both angled sides of the triangle, stopping 1 inch short of the middle so the center stays intact as your tree trunk line.

6. Twist the strips

Gently twist each strip twice away from you, then press the very ends onto the parchment to hold them. Attach the trunk rectangle at the base and brush the whole tree with egg wash.

7. Bake until golden

Bake at 400F (200C) for 20 minutes, then reduce to 375F (190C) and bake 12 to 15 more minutes, until deeply golden brown and bubbling at the edges. The pastry should sound hollow when tapped.

8. Cool and dust

Let the tree rest on the pan for 5 minutes, then slide it onto a rack. Once slightly cooled, dust with powdered sugar and scatter toasted almonds if using. Serve warm.

Delicious Variations

S'mores Tree

Swap half the Nutella for marshmallow fluff and sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the top before baking.

Peppermint Bark Tree

Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to the Nutella and finish with crushed candy canes for a cool, festive crunch.

Salted Caramel Tree

Use a thin layer of dulce de leche instead of Nutella and finish with flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.

How to Store 3 Ingredient Nutella Christmas Tree 🎄

Frequently Asked Questions

I can't wait to see your tree on the holiday table, so snap a photo and tag me if you make it. Tell me in the comments: are you team crispy branches or team gooey center? Small steps, big change.

3 Ingredient Nutella Christmas Tree 🎄

This 3 ingredient Nutella Christmas Tree is a buttery, chocolate-filled puff pastry showstopper that takes 15 minutes to prep and looks like a bakery masterpiece.

★★★★½ 4.8 (213 ratings)

15 minPrep time35 minCook time6Servings285 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 2 sheets puff pastry (about 17.3 oz / 490g total), thawed but still cold
• 1 cup (280g) Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread
• 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• Optional: 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting
• Optional: 1/4 cup (30g) sliced almonds

📋 Instructions

1. 1Thaw and preheat — Thaw the puff pastry in the fridge overnight or for 40 minutes at room temperature until pliable but cold. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2Roll and layer — Unroll one pastry sheet onto the parchment and gently roll it to smooth the seams. Spread the Nutella in a thin, even layer, leaving a 1-inch border all the way around.
3. 3Top with pastry — Lay the second pastry sheet directly on top and press the edges together lightly with your fingers. You now have a filled rectangle ready to shape.
4. 4Cut the tree — Using a sharp knife or pizza wheel, cut the rectangle into a wide triangle tree shape, saving the scraps. Cut a small trunk rectangle at the bottom center and set it aside.
5. 5Slice the branches — Starting about 1 inch from the center, cut horizontal strips down both angled sides of the triangle, stopping 1 inch short of the middle so the center stays intact as your tree trunk line.
6. 6Twist the strips — Gently twist each strip twice away from you, then press the very ends onto the parchment to hold them. Attach the trunk rectangle at the base and brush the whole tree with egg wash.
7. 7Bake until golden — Bake at 400F (200C) for 20 minutes, then reduce to 375F (190C) and bake 12 to 15 more minutes, until deeply golden brown and bubbling at the edges. The pastry should sound hollow when tapped.
8. 8Cool and dust — Let the tree rest on the pan for 5 minutes, then slide it onto a rack. Once slightly cooled, dust with powdered sugar and scatter toasted almonds if using. Serve warm.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Note: If your kitchen runs warm, work on a chilled baking sheet and return the dough to the fridge whenever it starts feeling soft. Cold butter is what makes puff pastry puff.

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Nutrition (per serving): 285 kcal · 12g protein · 22g carbs · 9g fat

Written by Maya Chen

Maya writes about sustainable living and zero-waste practices, focusing on small, actionable changes for everyday life. She shares practical tips on reducing plastic, composting, and mindful consumption, drawn from her own experiments at home.