Go Back

Cream Cheese Christmas Tree

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Appetiser
Cuisine English
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup flour maida
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil or any oil
  • 1/4 cup water add as required
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • For the filling
  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 1 cup cream cheese or thick hung curd
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ¼pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoons butter

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl take 1 cups of flour or Maida, salt, sugar, baking soda and baking powder.
  • Mix very well.
  • Add 1 tablespoons olive oil and ½ tablespoon lemon juice.
  • Mix and crumble the flour.
  • Add water slowly and knead the dough.
  • Keep on kneading till you get a soft and smooth dough.
  • As there is no yeast you have to really knead very well. Knead at least for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • The dough should become elastic and stretchable
  • It should not be sticky but tacky. Rub some oil on your hands while kneading
  • Rub a little olive oil all over the dough and keep aside covered in a bowl.
  • Allow the dough to leaven for 2 to 2:30 hours.
  • Check the dough by punching one of your fingers in the dough and the depression should give away.
  • Once again knead the dough lightly before using it. If not using immediately, cover the dough in aluminium foil or a keep it covered in a closed container in the fridge.
  • You can also freeze the dough and it will stay good for a month.
  • Make a large ball of the dough and roll it into a rectangle.
  • Spread butter paper and roll on top of it as it would stick after the filling is put on it.
  • With the help of a pizza cutter cut a triangle from two ends taking it to the centre.
  • With both the edges combine to make another triangle.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a bowl, beat together the kale and cream cheese. Add the garlic, salt, onion powder, pepper, chilli powder, Italian seasoning and beat to combine.
  • Add parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and beat to combine.
  • Don’t forget to use a parchment paper or foil under the rolled out dough.
  • Spread the cream cheese evenly over one triangle. Sprinkle some parmesan all over it.
  • Now take the other triangle and place it over the stuffing gently sealing the edges.
  • Now with the pizza cutter, make gashes from the top end. Start from the centre to the edge make a clean cut till the bottom.
  • Repeat the same on the other side.
  • Now take each block and gently twist it once at the top and as you go down where it’s broader, twist two to three times.
  • Bake the tree for about 20 to 25 minutes until quite golden brown on top and cooked through on the bottom.
  • Melt butter and stir in garlic salt and seasoning, brush over breadsticks.
  • The bread sticks are pull-apart and mine were really very tasty although the tree didn’t turn out very neat.
  • Serve the Christmas Tree Breadsticks Stuffed with Kale and Cream Cheese, warm.

Notes

The dough should be smooth and pliable
You can use hung curd in place of cream cheese
I used Kale instead of spinach
Do not brown too much