Snowflake Pastry

This Snowflake Pastry is a playful appetizer that turns simple ingredients into a beautiful centerpiece for the table. Made with layers of puff pastry, pesto, and grated Tropical Queso Blanco, the dough is cut and twisted to create a star or snowflake pattern that bakes into a crisp, golden pull-apart bread. Each piece reveals layers of pesto and melted cheese inside.

Recipes like this Snowflake Pastry are popular for gatherings and the Holidays because guests can simply pull apart the twisted sections and enjoy them warm from the oven. The combination of buttery pastry, tasty pesto, and savory cheese makes it an easy appetizer that feels festive, looks impressive, and it’s fun to share.

Ingredients

• 2 puff pastry discs
• 4 tbsp pesto (or to taste)
• 1 cup grated Tropical Queso Blanco
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)

Garnish:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place one puff pastry disc on the prepared baking sheet and spread the pesto evenly across the surface, leaving a small border around the edge. Sprinkle the grated Queso Blanco over the pesto.
3. Lay the second puff pastry disc directly on top of the first layer and press lightly so the filling stays in place.
4. Set a small glass in the center of the pastry and gently press to mark a circle without cutting through the dough.
5. Starting from the edge of the marked circle; using a knife, cut outward to the edge of the pastry to create 16 evenly spaced strips, similar to the spokes of a wheel.
6. Take two neighboring strips and twist them away from each other twice, then pinch their ends together to form a point. Continue twisting the remaining pairs until the snowflake shape forms all the way around.
7. Brush the entire pastry with the egg wash so it bakes to a shiny golden color.
8. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and lightly browned.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before decorating with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
10. Serve warm and pull apart the twisted sections to enjoy.