How to make Cheese Puff Pastry Trees

You will need:

500g Puff Pastry

150g Cheddar Cheese (Grated)

1 Egg (beaten)

Equipment:

Star cutter

Oven proof skewers (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6 / 200°C (170°C fan).

2. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the puff pastry into a long rectangle.

3. From one short end of the pastry, cut out a star shape and set it aside for later.

4. Cut a long, thin strip from the remaining pastry.

5. Beat the egg and spread evenly along the length of the thin pastry strip, then top with the grated cheese.

6. Fold the pastry widthways over the cheese to enclose it. Place the pastry seam-side down.

7. Shape the filled pastry into a triangle, folding it back and forth to resemble a Christmas tree.

8. If using, insert an ovenproof skewer down the centre of the pastry to help hold the shape.

9. Place the pastry tree onto the lined baking tray. Attach the puff pastry star to the top.

10. Brush the entire pastry with the beaten egg, using a little extra to glue the star in place.

11. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and cooked through.