Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath

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Made with buttery puff pastry and sun-dried tomato pesto, this easy Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath, aka Tarte Soleil, is a festive and delicious holiday appetizer that’s truly stunning! 

puff pastry dough shaped into a star with sixteen rays and stuffed with pesto and garnished with pomegranate arils.


 

Occasionally, you might find yourself in the mood to create an absolutely stunning dish like a perfect whole roast turkey, a fancy decorated layer cake, or maybe this beautiful puff pastry wreath! It’s a holiday favorite that’s not only full of flavor but full of charm, thanks to the traditional tarte soleil styling. Tangy, fragrant pesto goes well with buttery puff pastry and is so well-balanced that you really don’t need any other ingredients!

What Is a Tarte Soleil?

This wreath is basically a holiday version of the classic French Tarte Soleil, which is an elegant puff pastry appetizer made by making cuts in a circle of filled puff pastry, so to look like rays of light around the sun. These “rays” are twisted before baking to create a pretty effect and showcase the pastry layers and filling. The rays are then eaten pull-apart style, for a festive and lovely appetizer.

pulling a piece of stuffed puff pastry.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Puff Pastry: 2 sheets puff pastry
  • Pesto: ¼ cup store-bought sun-dried tomato pesto or basil pesto.
  • Egg: 1 egg, beaten
  • Coarse Salt: Optional, for sprinkling. 
  • Optional Garnishes: Pomegranate arils and chopped fresh basil or parsley make the perfect garnishes.

How to Make Puff Pastry Wreath

  1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a rimless cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the Puff Pastry Circles. Open the puff pastry and roll out the sheets. Cut out two 10-inch circles from the puff pastry. It’s easy to do this if you place a large dinner plate on the puff pastry and cut around it with a sharp knife. See the above pics.
  3. Fill the Puff Pastry with Pesto. Place one of the puff pastry circles on your parchment-lined cookie sheet. Spoon the pesto onto the middle of the puff pastry, and use the back of a large spoon to spread the pesto into an even layer, leaving a 1-inch border all the way around. Do not overfill. Then, place the second puff pastry circle on top.
  4. Cut and Twist the “Rays.” Gently press a drinking glass in the center of the wreath, to create a round indentation. Set the glass aside. Using a sharp knife, cut 16 slices all around, leaving the center circle intact. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 5 minutes to firm up. Then twist each ray two or three times to the right, working your way around the entire wreath. 
  5. Bake. Brush the top of the wreath and each ray with the beaten egg, and sprinkle with coarse salt, if you are using it. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until golden and puffed up.
  6. Enjoy! Garnish your wreath with pomegranate arils and chopped basil (or parsley) before serving.
raw puff pastry dough shaped into a star with sixteen rays.

Recipe Tips And Variations

  • Clockwise Cutting: To make cutting the rays easier, envision the wreath as a clock. Make your first cuts at twelve, three, six, and nine. Now make three evenly-spaced cuts in each quarter. Done!
  • Imperfections Are Fine: Puff pastry is very forgiving, so don’t worry if your unbaked wreath looks a little crooked or imperfect. Once it bakes, the golden-brown puff pastry looks amazing!
  • Sweet Version 1: You can make a fabulous sweet version of this tart with a filling of Nutella! Garnish with slivered almonds and a drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate.
  • Sweet Version 2: Cream cheese mixed with cranberry jam is another great sweet filling for a tarte soleil wreath! It’s a nice balance: less sweet than Nutella, but still dessert-like.
side shot of a puff pastry stuffed with pesto

Serving Suggestions

This puff pastry appetizer is a perfect starter, but I also love to serve it with this fresh and creamy Breakfast Fruit Pizza! Classic Overnight Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole is also wonderful, as are these sweet Pancake Bites

puff pastry dough shaped into a star with sixteen rays and stuffed with pesto and garnished with pomegranate arils.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

  • To store leftovers, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, or cut into slices and place them in airtight containers or food storage bags. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
  • To make in advance, assemble the wreath up to one day in advance! Just refrigerate it, unbaked, and covered loosely with plastic wrap. Bake it as directed on the day of. You may have to add a minute or two to the baking time.
  • To reheat, bake again at 400˚F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through.

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5 from 10 votes

Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath

Made with buttery puff pastry and fragrant basil pesto, this Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath is a delicious holiday appetizer that’s truly stunning! 
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients 

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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F.
  • Line a large rimless cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut them into 10-inch circles. I place a large dinner plate on the puff pastry and cut around it.
    a round dinner plate set over puff pastry dough
  • Transfer one puff pastry circle to the parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
  • Put the pesto in the middle of the puff pastry circle; using the back of a large spoon, spread the pesto over the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border all the way around.
  • Place the second puff pastry sheet on top.
  • Place a drinking glass in the center of the circle to create a round indentation; remove the glass.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut 16 slices all around, leaving the center circle intact.
    puff pastry cut in a circle and the circle is then divided into 16 slices.
  • Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 5 minutes – this will make it easier to twist the pastry.
  • Remove from freezer.
  • Twist each slice two or three times to the right, working your way around the entire wreath.
  • Brush the top with egg wash. Sprinkle it with coarse salt.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and puffed up.
  • Garnish with pomegranate arils and chopped basil or parsley.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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9 Comments

  1. Amanda says:

    I made this for a Christmas party and everyone loved it!

  2. Jen Vinuya says:

    It’s really beautiful and tastes really good!! A must-make!

  3. Toni says:

    This is really pretty!! It is so fun to make and eat!!

  4. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says:

    Yum!!! This Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath is such a great appetizer idea. Love it!

  5. Stephanie says:

    Now this is exciting! So many of my favorite flavors in one dish! It looks so fancy but it wasn’t difficult to make at all.

  6. Erik says:

    Stunning! What a way to entertain for the holidays.

  7. Melissa says:

    Great appetizer – easy to make and so delicious! Im making it again this weekend for a Christmas party.

  8. Beth says:

    Oh, wow! That’s almost too pretty to eat. I still would, though. Absolutely amazing.

  9. Anna says:

    This pastry is GORGEOUS! Such a fun baking project for the holidays. I can’t wait to try different fillings!