Festive Herb-Infused Crescent Tree Appetizers
Unleash the holiday spirit with these delightful Herb-Infused Crescent Tree appetizers, perfect for your Christmas gatherings! Based on a beloved Pillsbury recipe, this version includes a zesty chive and sour cream dip that elevates the flavor profile. Shaped like Christmas trees, these pinwheel pastries are not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor from a sprinkle of parmesan and Italian herbs. Each tree can be uniquely decorated with vibrant cherry tomato slices and fresh parsley, making them a festive centerpiece for any holiday table. Perfect for sharing and impressing your guests, these appetizers are sure to become a cherished favorite. This recipe yields two beautiful trees, ideal for parties or family celebrations, and the decorating options are endless—get creative and have fun with it!
N/A
Servings
55
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
2 (8-ounce) cans (Unroll and separate into rectangles)
Grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (Sprinkle on rectangles)
Dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (Sprinkle on rectangles)
Prepared sour cream and chive dip
1/2 cup (Use for piping and dollops)
Medium cherry tomatoes
10 (Slice into 30 pieces)
Medium yellow bell pepper
1 (Cut into stars and chop)
Chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (Sprinkle for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Unroll the two cans of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls and separate them into four long rectangles, ensuring to firmly press the perforations together to seal.
3
Evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning on each rectangle.
4
Starting from one short side, roll each rectangle tightly like a jelly roll to form four logs.
5
Using a serrated knife, slice each log into 8 equal pieces, creating pinwheel shapes.
6
To assemble the trees on a lined cookie sheet (parchment paper works well for easy removal), start by placing one slice cut-side down as the top of the tree.
7
Arrange two slices below the top slice, with their sides touching. Continue layering with rows of 3, 4, and finally 5 slices to shape the tree, using the last slice for the trunk.
8
Bake the first tree in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
9
Once baked, allow the tree to cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack before transferring to a serving platter.
10
Repeat the assembly and baking process for the second tree.
11
For decorating, either use a pastry bag or fill a ziplock bag with the prepared sour cream and chive dip, snipping one corner to pipe.
12
Pipe the dip as garland on the tree and add a dollop of dip on each pinwheel slice, except for the trunk.
13
Top each pinwheel (except the top and bottom) with a slice of cherry tomato, creating colorful ornaments.
14
Cut out two star shapes from the yellow bell pepper using a 1¼ to 1½ inch star cutter and place one on top of each tree.
15
Chop any remaining bell pepper and sprinkle it over the trees, followed by a generous sprinkling of fresh parsley.
16
Serve immediately or refrigerate until it's time to delight your guests!
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
5g
Carbs
1.25g
Protein
0.25g
Fiber
0.625g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Herb-Infused Crescent Tree Appetizers?
They are decorative holiday pastries made from crescent roll pinwheels arranged in a Christmas tree shape and topped with herb dip and vegetable decorations.
What is the main dough used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two 8-ounce cans of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls.
How many Christmas trees does this recipe make?
This recipe yields two beautiful tree-shaped appetizers.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for the best results.
How do I prepare the crescent roll dough for filling?
Unroll the dough and separate it into four long rectangles, pressing the perforations together firmly to seal them.
What seasonings are used inside the pinwheels?
Each rectangle is sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese and dried Italian seasoning.
How do I form the pinwheel shapes?
Roll each rectangle tightly like a jelly roll and slice the logs into 8 equal pieces using a serrated knife.
How many slices are needed for each row of the tree?
Arrange the slices in rows of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, with one final slice used as the trunk.
What is the total baking time?
The trees should bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
How long should the appetizers cool before decorating?
Allow the trees to cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack before moving them to a serving platter.
What kind of dip is used for the decoration?
A half cup of prepared sour cream and chive dip is used for piping and dollops.
How is the dip applied to the trees?
Use a pastry bag or a snipped ziplock bag to pipe the dip as garland and add dollops to the pinwheels.
What serves as the ornaments on the trees?
Slices of cherry tomatoes are placed on the pinwheels to look like colorful ornaments.
How many cherry tomatoes are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 10 medium cherry tomatoes, which are then sliced into 30 pieces.
How do I make the star for the top of the tree?
Cut star shapes from a yellow bell pepper using a 1.25 to 1.5 inch star cutter.
What garnish is added at the end?
The trees are finished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and remaining chopped bell pepper.
Are these appetizers suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these crescent tree appetizers are categorized as vegetarian.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 55 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 3 grams of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 1.25 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each tree piece?
Each serving contains 5 grams of carbohydrates.
How much sugar is in this appetizer?
There is 0.625 grams of sugar per serving.
Does the recipe contain fiber?
Yes, each serving provides 0.25 grams of fiber.
Can these be made ahead of time?
Yes, they can be prepared and then refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This version is based on a beloved Pillsbury recipe with an elevated flavor profile.
How many total ingredients are needed?
The recipe requires 7 main ingredients.
What type of knife should I use for slicing?
A serrated knife is recommended to get clean slices through the dough logs.
What should I use to prevent the trees from sticking to the pan?
Lining your cookie sheet with parchment paper ensures easy removal.
Can I get creative with the decorations?
Absolutely, the decorating options are endless and you are encouraged to have fun with it.
Should these be served warm or cold?
They can be served immediately after cooling and decorating, or served chilled from the refrigerator.