Cream puffs are already a thing of beauty, but when I decided to stack them into little edible Christmas trees with swirls of pastel green cream, they became magical. I made these Christmas Tree Cream Puffs for a holiday gathering, and they were gone before the hot chocolate even cooled. There’s something whimsical about the combination of delicate choux pastry and festive piped cream that instantly brings joy.

I love how these cream puffs strike the perfect balance between impressive and approachable. They look like a professional bakery treat, but the process is surprisingly doable at home. Once you get the hang of the choux pastry, the rest is all about assembly and a bit of creative flair. These are a must-try if you want to impress without the stress.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Cream Puffs Recipe

These cream puffs are not only adorable and festive, but they also offer the perfect blend of crisp pastry and smooth, subtly sweet filling. Each bite is light and satisfying without being overly rich, making them ideal for holiday feasts. Plus, the tree shape adds a playful touch that kids and adults both adore.

What Kind of Filling Should I Use for the Cream Puffs?

For the perfect Christmas Tree Cream Puffs, go with a stabilized whipped cream or pastry cream that’s tinted green with matcha powder or food coloring. I used a matcha whipped ganache for an elegant touch with just a hint of earthy flavor. But honestly, anything that pipes well and holds its shape can work—even a white chocolate mousse or peppermint cream.

Options for Substitutions

You can absolutely get creative with the cream filling. If matcha isn’t your thing, a vanilla bean pastry cream tinted with green gel food coloring is a classic and kid-friendly option. For a fruity twist, try a stabilized raspberry whipped cream with a drop of green color. Dairy-free? Use coconut whipped cream. And if you want a shortcut, store-bought pudding can work in a pinch—just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when piped.

Ingredients for this Christmas Tree Cream Puffs Recipe

Water – Essential for creating steam in the choux pastry, which helps the puffs rise and become airy inside.

Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and flavor to the pastry dough; it also helps with the texture.

All-Purpose Flour – The structural base of the choux pastry. It gives the cream puffs their signature hollow and crisp shell.

Eggs – Crucial for structure, stability, and color in the pastry. They also add moisture which turns into steam to puff the dough.

Salt – A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the choux dough.

Heavy Cream – Used to make the whipped ganache or stabilized whipped cream for the filling. It creates a luscious, smooth texture.

White Chocolate or Matcha Powder (Optional) – For flavoring and coloring the filling. Matcha adds a natural green color and earthy taste.

Powdered Sugar – For dusting the tops of the cream puffs to give them a festive, snowy look.

Green Food Coloring – If you’re not using matcha, a few drops of gel food coloring gives the cream its tree-like hue.

Star-Shaped Cookies or Fondant Stars – The finishing touch that turns your stack into a recognizable Christmas tree.

Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring it to a boil, then add flour all at once. Stir continuously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Eggs

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should be smooth, glossy, and pipeable. It should hold its shape but still fall off the spoon slowly.

Step 3: Pipe the Puffs

Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe three different sizes of rounds (small, medium, and large) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to stack later into trees. Leave space between each puff to allow for expansion.

Step 4: Bake

Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Avoid opening the oven during the first 20 minutes to prevent collapse. Once done, let them cool completely.

Step 5: Make the Cream Filling

While the puffs are cooling, make your filling. Heat heavy cream and pour it over chopped white chocolate or whisk in matcha powder. Chill, then whip into soft peaks. Alternatively, whip chilled cream with a stabilizer and green food coloring.

Step 6: Fill the Cream Puffs

Slice each puff horizontally. Pipe the filling generously onto the bottom halves, then gently stack them from largest to smallest. Top with the smallest puff and add a decorative star. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

Step 7: Assemble and Serve

Arrange the finished cream puff trees on a festive platter. They can be served immediately or chilled slightly for the cream to set. Either way, they’re guaranteed to be the star of your dessert table.

How Long to Prepare the Christmas Tree Cream Puffs

Making Christmas Tree Cream Puffs does take a little time, but every minute is worth it for such a stunning result. The process can be broken down into several stages.

Choux Pastry and Baking Time: Preparing and baking the choux takes about 45 minutes. That includes cooking the dough, piping, and baking until golden. Cooling adds another 20 minutes.

Filling and Assembly: Making the cream filling and whipping it takes around 15–20 minutes. Assembling the cream puffs into tree shapes with piped cream and decorations adds another 20–30 minutes depending on how detailed you want to be.

Total active time: about 1.5 hours.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Cream Puffs

Make sure your dough cools slightly before adding eggs—too hot, and they’ll scramble.
Use a star piping tip to pipe the filling for a festive tree-like swirl.
Pipe the cream in a circular motion for stable stacking.
Chill the whipped filling before piping for firmer structure.
Bake the puffs until they’re deeply golden to ensure they’re fully dried inside.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Opening the oven too early: This can cause the puffs to collapse.
Underbaking: Soft puffs will deflate or get soggy quickly.
Overfilling: Too much cream can make the stack unstable.
Using warm filling: The cream must be cool enough to hold shape when piped.
Skipping the cooling step: Assembling warm puffs with cream will result in melting.

What to Serve With Christmas Tree Cream Puffs?

1. Hot Chocolate

Rich and creamy hot cocoa makes a cozy pairing for these festive treats.

2. Spiced Mulled Wine

For an adult celebration, mulled wine with cinnamon and cloves enhances the holiday vibe.

3. Fresh Berries

A simple plate of raspberries, strawberries, or cranberries balances the sweetness.

4. Peppermint Ice Cream

A cool, minty scoop adds contrast to the fluffy cream puffs.

5. Eggnog

Whether homemade or store-bought, it completes the festive dessert table.

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration: Store filled cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The pastry may soften slightly, but they’ll still taste delicious.

Freezing: You can freeze unfilled cream puffs for up to 1 month. Re-crisp them in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes, then cool before filling. Avoid freezing the assembled trees—they lose structure and texture.

Make Ahead Tips: Bake the choux shells a day ahead and keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. Prepare the cream filling the day of serving for best results.

Estimated Nutrition (Per Tree)

Calories: 280–320
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 90mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the cream puffs ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the choux pastry shells a day in advance and store them in an airtight container.

Can I use store-bought cream?

If you’re short on time, a thick whipped topping or stabilized pudding can work, but homemade is always better.

How do I get the cream to hold its shape?

Chill the filling well and use a piping bag with a star tip. Stabilizers like gelatin or cornstarch can help too.

What if I don’t have matcha or green food coloring?

You can keep the cream white and dust with powdered sugar for a snow-covered tree look.

Can kids help make these?

Absolutely! They can help pipe the cream, stack the puffs, and decorate with stars and sprinkles.

Conclusion

Christmas Tree Cream Puffs are more than just dessert—they’re a holiday centerpiece, conversation starter, and joyful activity rolled into one. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a creative beginner, these whimsical treats bring magic to any festive table. With golden pastry layers, luscious green cream, and a sprinkle of holiday charm, they’re destined to become a new seasonal favorite.