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21 Elegant Christmas Pastry Recipes That Feel Bakery-Fresh

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Christmas Pastries

Introduction

Christmas pastries bring a touch of charm to any holiday table. Whether you’re hosting brunch, preparing gifts, or treating your family to something warm and homemade, these bakery-style pastries are simple enough for home bakers yet impressive enough for celebrations. Below you’ll find flaky, buttery, and beautifully seasonal pastries that make December mornings feel extra special.

1. Classic Christmas Danish Pastries

Classic Christmas Danish Pastries

These soft and flaky Danish pastries are filled with bright fruit jam for a festive touch.

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets puff pastry
  • ½ cup strawberry or raspberry jam
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cut puff pastry into squares and fold corners toward the center.
  3. Add 1–2 teaspoons of jam into the center of each square.
  4. Brush edges with egg wash and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
  5. Bake for 14–16 minutes until golden and crisp.
  6. Let cool briefly before dusting with powdered sugar.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with fresh berries or a small drizzle of simple glaze.

2. Cinnamon Sugar Puff Twists

Cinnamon Sugar Puff Twists

Light, crispy, and full of warm holiday spice, these twists make a perfect quick treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brush pastry with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly.
  3. Slice into strips and twist each piece.
  4. Place on a lined sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes.
  5. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Serve It

Enjoy with hot chocolate or coffee for a cozy Christmas snack.

3. Holiday Almond Croissants

Holiday Almond Croissants

These croissants are filled with sweet almond cream that gives them a luxurious Christmas flavor.

Ingredients

  • 6 plain croissants
  • ½ cup softened butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • Almond slices for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix butter, sugar, almond flour, egg, and vanilla into a paste.
  3. Slice croissants and fill with the almond mixture.
  4. Spread a thin layer on top and add almond slices.
  5. Bake for 15–18 minutes until lightly browned.

How to Serve It

Dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm tea.

4. Cranberry Orange Pastry Squares

Cranberry Orange Pastry Squares

Citrusy and bright, these pastries add a refreshing touch to your holiday table.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup cranberry sauce
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 egg for brushing

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Mix cranberry sauce with orange zest.
  3. Cut pastry into squares and spoon filling in the center.
  4. Fold corners inward and brush edges with egg wash.
  5. Bake 12–15 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with a little extra orange zest on top.

5. Maple Pecan Pastry Braids

Maple Pecan Pastry Braids

Sweet, nutty, and perfect for gifting.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix pecans, maple syrup, and brown sugar.
  3. Spread filling down the center of the pastry.
  4. Slice edges into strips and braid over the filling.
  5. Brush with egg and bake 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Slice warm and drizzle a little extra maple syrup on top.

6. Chocolate Hazelnut Pastry Rolls

Chocolate Hazelnut Pastry Rolls

A quick, rich treat perfect for chocolate lovers.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup chocolate hazelnut spread
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread pastry evenly with chocolate filling.
  3. Roll tightly and slice into spirals.
  4. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sugar.
  5. Bake 14 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with fresh strawberries.

7. Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastries

Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastries

Sweet cream cheese pairs beautifully with festive raspberries.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ¼ cup raspberry jam
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Mix cream cheese and sugar.
  3. Cut pastry into squares and add a spoon of cream cheese and raspberry jam.
  4. Brush with egg wash.
  5. Bake 12–14 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add a fresh raspberry on top for a pretty finish.

8. Apple Cinnamon Mini Strudels

Apple Cinnamon Mini Strudels

A comforting holiday classic in bite-size form.

Ingredients

  • 2 apples, diced
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 sheet puff pastry

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook apples, sugar, cinnamon, and butter until soft.
  3. Cut pastry, fill, and fold into small strudels.
  4. Bake 15 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with a little powdered sugar.

9. Snowflake Sugar Pastries

Snowflake Sugar Pastries

Pretty, fun, and perfect for decorating holiday brunch tables.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Powdered sugar
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut pastry into snowflake shapes using cutters.
  3. Brush with egg and sprinkle sugar.
  4. Bake 10–12 minutes.

How to Serve It

Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

10. Cherry Almond Pastry Triangles

Cherry Almond Pastry Triangles

Sweet cherries and almonds make these pastries taste bakery-made.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup cherry pie filling
  • ¼ cup almond slices
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cut pastry into squares, add cherry filling, and fold into triangles.
  3. Brush with egg and add almond slices.
  4. Bake 12–15 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with a touch of powdered sugar.

11. Vanilla Custard Christmas Puffs

Vanilla Custard Christmas Puffs

Soft, sweet, and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 1 cup pastry cream
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cut pastry into small squares and bake for 10 minutes.
  3. Slice open and fill with pastry cream.
  4. Dust with powdered sugar.

How to Serve It

Best served chilled or at room temperature.

12. Orange Glazed Star Pastries

Orange Glazed Star Pastries

These bright little stars bring citrus charm to Christmas mornings.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tbsp zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut pastry into stars and bake 10–12 minutes.
  3. Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled pastries.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle extra zest on top before serving.

13. Festive Chocolate Pinwheels

Festive Chocolate Pinwheels

These pinwheels look impressive but take only minutes to assemble.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ¼ cup melted chocolate
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread chocolate onto pastry.
  3. Roll tightly and slice into pinwheels.
  4. Bake 12–15 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with fresh berries or a warm drink.

14. Cranberry Cream Pastry Swirls

Cranberry Cream Pastry Swirls

A festive mix of creamy and tart flavors.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup cranberry jam
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix cream cheese and sugar.
  3. Spread cream cheese and cranberry jam on pastry.
  4. Roll and slice into swirls.
  5. Bake 14 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with a small dab of extra jam.

15. Maple Walnut Pastry Rolls

Maple Walnut Pastry Rolls

A warm, nutty pastry perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix walnuts, maple syrup, and brown sugar.
  3. Spread over pastry and roll tightly.
  4. Slice and bake 14–16 minutes.

How to Serve It

Drizzle extra maple before serving.

16. Strawberry Snow Pastry Pockets

Strawberry Snow Pastry Pockets

These pretty pastries look like tiny snow-dusted envelopes.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup strawberry jam
  • Powdered sugar
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cut pastry into rectangles and fill with jam.
  3. Seal edges and brush with egg wash.
  4. Bake 10–12 minutes.

How to Serve It

Dust generously with powdered sugar.

17. Caramel Apple Pastry Bites

Caramel Apple Pastry Bites

A cozy winter flavor in small, sharable pieces.

Ingredients

  • 1 apple, diced
  • 2 tbsp caramel sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 sheet puff pastry

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix apple, caramel sauce, and sugar.
  3. Cut pastry into small squares and add filling.
  4. Fold and seal.
  5. Bake 12 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve warm for the best flavor.

18. Chocolate Drizzle Christmas Palmiers

Chocolate Drizzle Christmas Palmiers

Light, crisp, and perfect with a warm drink.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup melted chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Sprinkle pastry with sugar and fold into palmier shape.
  3. Slice and bake 8–10 minutes.
  4. Drizzle chocolate once cool.

How to Serve It

Serve with cocoa or coffee.

19. Honey Pistachio Pastry Spirals

Honey Pistachio Pastry Spirals

Sweet honey and crunchy pistachios make this pastry unforgettable.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup crushed pistachios
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brush pastry with honey and sprinkle pistachios.
  3. Roll and slice.
  4. Bake 12–14 minutes.

How to Serve It

Brush with a thin layer of warm honey.

20. Vanilla Berry Pastry Cups

Vanilla Berry Pastry Cups

A soft, creamy holiday dessert that looks beautiful on the table.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 1 cup vanilla pudding
  • Fresh berries

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Shape pastry into small cups using a muffin tin.
  3. Bake 10 minutes until golden.
  4. Fill with vanilla pudding and berries.

How to Serve It

Chill before serving for a refreshing dessert.

21. Snowy Lemon Pastry Bars

Snowy Lemon Pastry Bars

A bright and tangy pastry perfect for winter gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • ½ cup lemon curd
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread lemon curd over pastry and fold edges.
  3. Bake 12–15 minutes.
  4. Dust with powdered sugar.

How to Serve It

Cut into bars and serve chilled or room temperature.

Conclusion

These Christmas pastries are simple to prepare yet full of charm and seasonal flavor. Whether you’re planning a festive brunch or making treats for friends, each recipe offers something warm and cheerful for the holiday season. Save your favorites, try a new one each week, and enjoy bringing a touch of bakery-style magic to your home this Christmas.

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