This easy squash casserole turns simple summer squash into a warm, comforting side with great flavor. The squash is sautéed first so it stays tender without getting watery, and the buttery crumb topping adds the perfect crunch. It is a dependable recipe for weeknights or holidays.

This Nutella and Dulce de Leche Puff Pastry Christmas Tree looks impressive, but it’s actually one of the easiest Christmas desserts you’ll ever make! Layers of rich Nutella and creamy dulce de leche sandwiched between flaky puff pastry! It tastes like pure holiday heaven.

A few years ago, puff pastry Christmas tree recipes started popping up everywhere, but I hadn’t seen one featuring Nutella and dulce de leche, so of course, I had to create my own!

Every Christmas Eve, my mom made homemade donuts. Honestly, I’ve never been a huge fan; they’re not quite sweet enough, yet somehow too rich at the same time. Don’t worry, she doesn’t love them either. Go figure.

Last Christmas, I wanted something that captured the nostalgia of those donuts without actually being one because deep frying is messy, smelly, and a bit of a hassle. That is how this adorable puff pastry Christmas tree was born!

Ingredients for This Recipe

This festive puff pastry tree comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients, and the result is the yummiest pull-apart Christmas Tree dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 Sheets Puff Pastry, partially frozen: The base of the tree.
• Nutella: For rich chocolate flavor.
• Dulce de Leche: Adds creamy caramel sweetness.
• Egg Yolk: Used as an egg wash to brush on the pastry for a glossy, golden finish.
• Water: To mix with the egg yolk.
• Unsalted Butter: Optional, brushed for extra richness.
• Cinnamon Sugar: For sprinkling on top.

That’s it! Just a few ingredients for a dessert that looks impressive and tastes incredible. Now let’s get baking!

Other Fun Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Fillings To Try

This puff pastry tree is a versatile base for all kinds of delicious fillings! While we love the classic Nutella and Dulce de Leche version, you can easily swap in apricot jam, strawberry jam, raspberry jam, fig jam, or even chocolate sauce! Feeling savory? Try ham and cheese, pesto with chicken, or chicken and Parmesan for a flavor-packed alternative.

How to Make This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree?

These Christmas Trees look fancy but are surprisingly easy to make! Flaky puff pastry layered with rich Nutella and creamy dulce de leche makes a festive, show-stopping dessert everyone will love.

1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat. (Parchment paper also works, but be warned: melted dulce de leche tends to stick more to parchment than to Silpat.)
2. Cut: Unfold the puff pastry sheets and stack them on top of each other. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut out a large Christmas tree shape, including the trunk. Separate the two sheets and place them side by side.
3. Fill: Spread Nutella evenly over one sheet and dulce de leche over the other. Flip one sheet on top of the other so the fillings face inward, creating a sandwich.
4. Shape: Transfer the layered tree to a prepared baking sheet. Cut slits about 1 inch apart along both sides, stopping just before the center. Twist each strip twice and press the ends down to form the “tree branches.”
5. Top: Using leftover pastry scraps, cut a star shape. Spread Nutella on one piece and dulce de leche on the other, press together, and place at the top of the tree.
6. Bake: Whisk together an egg yolk and a splash of water to make an egg wash. Brush the entire tree to help it bake golden. Bake 25–30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
7. Finish: Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
8. Serve: Enjoy warm, dipping pieces in Nutella, dulce de leche, or both!

Serve warm for the ultimate treat and watch as everyone dives in. This is sure to become a new favorite!

Puff Pastry Christmas Tree FAQ

This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is the perfect pull-apart appetizer for any holiday gathering. And the taste? Absolute heaven. Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree how I long to eat you! That’s the tune you will be singing when you try this Nutella and dulce de leche filled Christmas tree!

More Christmas Treats You’ll Love:

• Peppermint Chocolate Snack Cake
• Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
• Soft Gingerbread Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookie Dip
• White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints

What How to Make This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree…

This Instant Pot mac and cheese cooks quickly and comes out creamy every time. The pasta cooks right in the seasoned liquid so the sauce turns out smooth and rich without extra steps. It is simple enough for weeknights but delicious enough for holiday tables.

If you’re craving something creamy, sweet, and a little bit fancy, these No Bake Mini Cheesecakes are just the thing! With a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling, and a bright raspberry sauce on top, they are the perfect holiday dessert. No tying up the oven for hours, and they look so sophisticated but are really so simple to make!

I love treating myself to something sweet, especially when it’s simple to make and sure to impress. No-bake mini cheesecakes are perfect for sharing with the whole family or for a special Christmas treat or Valentine’s Day dessert.

A buttery graham cracker crust holds a rich, creamy cheesecake filling, all topped with a bright raspberry drizzle. The result is a stunning, bite-sized dessert that looks as good as it tastes. I promise you these won’t last on your counter for long!

Mini Cheesecake Ingredients

These mini cheesecakes come together with a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make the crust, filling, and raspberry sauce. Best of all, there is no need to turn on the oven because these are no-bake.

The Crust

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Base for the mini cheesecake crusts.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumbs together and adds richness.

Mini Cheesecake Filling

• Heavy Cream: Whipped to add lightness to the filling.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a creamy, tangy cheesecake base.
• Crème Fraîche: Adds richness and a slight tang.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the filling.

Raspberry Topping

• Cornstarch: Thickens the raspberry sauce.
• Sugar: Sweetens the raspberry sauce.
• Water: Combines with cornstarch to make a smooth sauce.
• Frozen Raspberries: Main flavor for the sauce.
• Fresh Raspberries: Garnish for serving.

Why Crème Fraîche?

This recipe uses crème fraîche, which adds a smooth, velvety texture and elevates the flavor compared to a standard cream cheese cheesecake batter. You can usually find it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or larger grocery stores.

How to Make Mini Cheesecakes

Follow these easy steps to assemble these creamy, no-bake treats!

1. Prep: Line 10–12 muffin tins with plastic wrap.
2. Crust: In a small bowl, combine the crumbs from the graham crackers and sugar, then stir in melted butter until it’s the texture of wet sand. Divide the mixture among the muffin tins and press into cups. Freeze while making filling.
3. Whip: Beat heavy cream with a whisk attachment until medium-stiff peaks form. Transfer to another bowl.
4. Mix: Beat cream cheese, crème fraîche, and confectioners’ sugar with paddle attachment until smooth, being sure to scrape the sides of the bowl periodically.
5. Fold: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined into a thick batter.
6. Assemble: Spoon filling into crusts and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
7. Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch, sugar, and water. Add raspberries and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until boiling. Cook one more minute. Strain to remove seeds and cool.
8. Serve: Remove cheesecakes from muffin tin using the plastic wrap. Drizzle with raspberry sauce and garnish with fresh raspberries.

Other Mini Cheesecake Topping Ideas

The cheesecake base is a blank canvas for endless flavor possibilities. We’ve tried caramel, strawberry, mixed berries, chocolate ganache, and more! The options are limitless. These mini cheesecakes also make a stunning presentation, especially when arranged on a serving platter for parties, showers, or any special gathering.

Can You Make No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes Ahead of Time?

Yes! The raspberry sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. The cheesecakes themselves are quick to assemble, but they need at least 30 minutes in the freezer to set. You can make them ahead, then transfer to the refrigerator until serving.

Any leftover raspberry sauce keeps well in the fridge and is perfect drizzled over yogurt or ice cream.

When it comes to dessert, it doesn’t get much easier — or prettier — than these no bake mini cheesecakes. I love that you can make them ahead of time, top them with fresh raspberry sauce, and pull them out when it’s time to celebrate.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, baby shower, or just want a sweet treat after dinner, these little cheesecakes always impress. They’re simple, delicious, and proof that you don’t need to turn on the oven to make something truly special.

You’ll Love These Cheesecake Recipes:

• Easy Baked Cheesecake with Fresh Cherry Sauce
• Mini Twix Caramel Cheesecakes
• Mini Dutch Apple Cheesecakes
• Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes
• No Bake Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes

Watch How These Mini Cheesecakes are Made…

With just five ingredients and ten minutes, this Ambrosia Salad brings bright, tropical flavor to any holiday table. It’s a no bake, make-ahead classic that is as delicious and it is easy to make!

This easy baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is the perfect holiday appetizer this season. Only a few simple ingredients (cheese, cream cheese, leftover cranberry sauce, cranberries and spices) to this savory hot dip. Ever wondered what to make with leftover cranberry sauce? This is the answer!

This cheese dip is one of my favorite holiday dip recipes! I love that it looks as festive as it tastes and the kids love that it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty!

The holiday season is here and that means a lot of parties, get-togethers and food. From the family Thanksgiving dinner to the “favorite things party” with girlfriends, our calendar is packed. When I need to bring a dish to share, quick and easy recipes are the way to go… like this Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.

We Love Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip!

Our family has a list of recipes that are a tradition every year. It’s not the holidays without our best cheeseball, soft and chewy gingerbread men cookies, peanut butter balls, and the best Christmas cookies ever! So why do we love this savory cranberry dip?

• Easy to make: There are only a few simple ingredients so no running to a million different stores to get what you need.
• Sweet and Cheesy: The tangy flavor of the cranberries are balanced with the savory cheeses and then you get that hint of sweet from the cranberry sauce.
• Everyone Asks For the Recipe: I love that this is the dip we often get asked for the recipe, guests just love it!
• Uses Up Leftovers: I don’t know about you, but I’m often googling “what to make with leftover cranberry sauce” This festive recipe solves that problem!
• Make Ahead: This dip is easy to make ahead of time, so you can spend more time with your guests. See more below.

Ingredients for our Holiday Dip Recipe

• Extra-Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Mozzarella Cheese, grated
• Cream cheese, softened
• Cranberry Sauce
• Fresh Cranberries, May substitute with frozen, but do not thaw
• Fresh Rosemary (or dried)
• Nutmeg
• Orange zest, optional

How to Make Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

1. Spray a small baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 375.
2. Mix together the cream cheese, 3/4 of the cheeses, nutmeg, orange zest and rosemary.
3. Fold in the cranberries.
4. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
5. Add dollops of the cranberry sauce with a spoon and swirl with the spoon or a knife.
6. Top with remaining shredded cheeses.
7. Bake until bubbly and the edges are browning.

Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip Tips

I like to place some homemade cranberry sauce in a freezer bag and toss it in the freezer around Thanksgiving, so that I can have it already prepared for this dip at Christmas. However, you can also prepare the cranberry sauce in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.

Use good quality white cheddar cheese like Tillamook. Buy a block and shred it yourself for a 10x better taste and gooeyness.

What to Serve With Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

So, what can you use to dip into a cranberry cream cheese dip? You can serve it with crackers, crostini, pita chips or slices or even vegetables.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Lightly coat the inside of a small slow-cooker (3-quart slow cooker is ideal) with a non-stick spray. Prepare the dip ingredients as written in step #2. Add the mixture to the bowl of a slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 1 hour or until heated through and the cheese is melted. In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, add the reserved cheese over the top.

To Make Ahead

Prepare and assemble the dip as written. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Cranberry sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance.

Storing Cranberry Cheese Dip

You can store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.  

Can You Freeze Cranberry Dip?

From my experience, the cream cheese in this dip can turn grainy and the cranberry sauce can become a little watery when reheated from frozen. However, wrapping well in foil and then defrosting in the fridge will help. If frozen, I highly recommend baking to reheat.

How to Reheat Baked Cream Cheese Dip

To reheat your dip in the microwave heat it on high for 30 seconds at a time, or bake, covered with foil at 350 until bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries to make a dip.

Variations & Substitutions

I love how versatile this dip is. Try out:

• Jalapeño Cranberry Dip  | Like it spicy? Add two tablespoons of chopped jarred jalapeños or 1 fresh chopped jalapeno to the dip!
• Love nuts? Add ¼ cup of your favorite chopped nuts, pistachios are my favorite!
• Make it indulgent! Crisp up prosciutto to sprinkle all over the dip before serving. It’s so good!

More Holiday Dip Recipes

• Baked Onion Dip
• Artichoke Dip
• Blue Cheese Dip
• Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Dip
• Queso with Chorizo Dip
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Slow Cooker Queso Dip

Thanksgiving dinner is all about the sides, right?! As much as we love a beautifully roasted turkey, it’s the rolls, potatoes, veggies, and casseroles that truly make the meal unforgettable. These are the tried-and-true Thanksgiving side dishes we make year after year!

Whether you’re hosting for the first time or bringing a dish to share, you’ll find the perfect Thanksgiving sides right here.

Rolls & Breads

Warm, fluffy rolls are a total Thanksgiving MUST. Every one of these is soft, buttery, and perfect for soaking up gravy.

1. Potato Rolls

1. Homemade Dinner Rolls

1. Hawaiian Rolls

1. Sweet Potato Rolls

1. Pumpkin Rolls

1. Herb Focaccia Bread

Potatoes (Mashed, Sweet, & Roasted)

Because is it really Thanksgiving without potatoes?

Mashed Potatoes

1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

1. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

1. Steakhouse Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Side Dishes

1. Loaded Sweet Potatoes

1. Sweet Potato Casserole

1. Sweet Potato Soufflé

1. Orange Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes

1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

1. Garlic Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

1. Herb and Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Baked

1. Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

1. Crispy Baked Potatoes

Stuffing & Dressing

Classic, cozy, carb-filled goodness — stuffing is the soul of the Thanksgiving table.

1. Make-Ahead No-Fuss Stuffing

1. Sausage Stuffing

1. Apple Cranberry Stuffing

Vegetable Sides

Fresh flavors, roasted veggies, and comforting casseroles — these sides bring color and balance to the meal.

Green Beans

1. Real Green Bean Casserole

1. Classic Green Bean Casserole

1. Heritage Green Bean Casserole

Carrots & Root Veggies

1. Honey Roasted Carrots

1. Lemon Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

1. Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Carrots

Corn

1. Creamed Corn Recipe

1. Cheesy Corn Casserole

Mixed Vegetables

1. Candied Pecan Bacon and Brussel Sprouts

1. Oven Roasted Vegetables

Salads & Pasta

A fresh bite to balance the feast — crisp, colorful, and festive!

1. Broccoli Salad

1. 7 Layer Pea Salad

1. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta

1. Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad

1. Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

1. Southern Baked Mac & Cheese

1. Best Macaroni and Cheese

Jello Salads

The nostalgic Thanksgiving sides that always disappear first.

1. Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad

1. Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad

1. Cranberry Jello Salad

1. Lemon Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

Sauces & Condiments

You can’t plate a Thanksgiving dinner without them.

1. Cranberry Sauce Recipe

1. Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce

1. How to Make Turkey Gravy

Thanksgiving is all about gathering the people you love around a table filled with comforting, memory-making food, and these Thanksgiving side dishes are the recipes we come back to year after year. Whether you’re craving classic mashed potatoes, fluffy rolls, cozy casseroles, or bright and fresh veggie sides, each dish brings something special to the feast.

Mix and match your favorites, prep a few ahead of time, and enjoy a holiday meal that feels warm, effortless, and absolutely delicious. Happy Thanksgiving from our kitchen to yours!

This Funeral Potatoes recipe is the perfect cozy dish for any potluck or gathering. It’s quick to make with simple shortcuts and can easily be prepared ahead of time!