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Bake Up Holiday Magic: Easy Christmas Tree Pastries with NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® and NESTLÉ® ABUELITA

The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and creating cherished memories with loved ones. What better way to celebrate than by gathering in the kitchen to bake something truly special? These delightful Christmas tree pastries offer a fantastic opportunity to infuse your home with festive cheer and involve the whole family in a fun culinary adventure. Imagine starting Christmas morning with these golden, pudding-filled treats, or packaging them beautifully to share as heartfelt gifts with friends and neighbors. They’re not just pastries; they’re little parcels of holiday happiness, easy to make and guaranteed to bring smiles.

A Whiff of Nostalgia: Cherished Childhood Traditions

Growing up, my home was always filled with the comforting aromas of traditional Latin American hospitality, especially during the colder months. I vividly recall my mom and my grandmother always greeting guests with a steaming cup of cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and a slice of pan con mantequilla (bread with butter). Those moments were more than just simple refreshments; they were rituals of connection. I remember watching them, their faces alight with laughter, as they shared the latest local news and stories, their voices a melodic backdrop to the clinking of cups. These simple pleasures underscored the importance of family, community, and the deep sense of belonging that food and drink can foster.

While my own children don’t have the daily blessing of living surrounded by their entire extended family, I am deeply committed to nurturing similar traditions within our home. We adapt and evolve these customs, finding new ways to connect to our heritage and create our own special family rituals. Instead of coffee, which was reserved for the adults in my childhood, I now serve a rich, comforting mug of hot chocolate made with NESTLÉ® ABUELITA Mexican Hot Chocolate. It’s the exact same iconic brand I grew up on, and sharing it with my kids feels like a direct link to my past, a tangible piece of my upbringing passed down to the next generation. Its authentic flavor and comforting warmth truly make our mornings feel traditionally united.

Crafting New Memories with Familiar, Trusted Flavors

Our hot chocolate mornings are now often accompanied by these delightful homemade pastries, generously filled with a creamy pudding that gets its irresistible texture and sweetness from NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Sweetened Condensed Milk. Finding these beloved products, which were staples in my childhood kitchen, readily available at Walmart makes it incredibly easy to recreate and share these treasured flavors with my own children. It’s more than just an ingredient; it’s a connection to heritage, a symbol of quality, and a secret weapon for busy parents who want to whip up delicious desserts without compromising on taste or tradition.

NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Sweetened Condensed Milk is truly a star ingredient that allows you to lovingly pamper your family with delectable treats that seamlessly fit into even the most hectic holiday schedules. Its rich, creamy consistency and perfectly balanced sweetness eliminate the need for extra steps, making pudding fillings and other desserts a breeze. This brand carries with it a legacy of tradition and a guarantee of quality, ensuring that every bite contributes to creating unforgettable family bonding moments. It transforms simple recipes into extraordinary experiences, embodying the joy of sharing and the sweetness of togetherness.

The Joy of Baking: Easy Christmas Tree Pastries Recipe

These homemade Christmas tree pastries are surprisingly simple to create, making them an ideal project for involving young chefs in the kitchen. Not only will your kids love devouring these festive treats, but they’ll also relish the hands-on experience of making them. From cutting out the shapes to adding the colorful sprinkles, every step is an opportunity for fun, learning, and creating precious holiday memories together. It’s a wonderful way to foster a love for baking and instill a sense of accomplishment in them.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Recipe:

• Kid-Friendly Fun: The simple steps are perfect for little hands to help with, from mixing to decorating.
• Effortlessly Delicious: Using premade pie crust and a simple NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® pudding filling makes these pastries incredibly easy yet satisfyingly gourmet.
• Customizable Creativity: While we chose Christmas trees, you can easily use other cookie cutters to make snowmen, stars, or Santa shapes, letting creativity shine.
• Perfect for Gifting: These charming pastries make beautiful and thoughtful homemade gifts for friends, teachers, and neighbors.
• A Taste of Tradition: Infused with the comfort of familiar flavors, they create new holiday traditions for your family.

My kids specifically requested Christmas trees this year, which we then lovingly adorned with sweet icing and a scattering of vibrant red and white sprinkles. The result was not just a dessert, but a delightful, personalized holiday experience. These pastries aren’t just yummy; they’re a special holiday treat that embodies the spirit of the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need (Yields approximately 12-16 pastries, serves 6-8):

For the Pastries:

• 1 box (containing 2 sheets) refrigerated pie crust, defrosted according to package directions
• 1 large egg, whisked with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
• 1 Christmas tree cookie cutter (approximately 3-4 inches in height)
• All-purpose flour, for dusting your work surface

For the Creamy NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Pudding Filling:

• 1 can (14 ounces) NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 4 cups cold water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

• 1/2 cup prepared vanilla or green icing (store-bought or homemade)
• Holiday sprinkles (red, white, green, or your favorite festive mix)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Festive Christmas Tree Pastries

Part 1: Preparing the Rich NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Pudding Filling

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the 4 cups of cold water, NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Sweetened Condensed Milk, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour. Whisk well until the flour is fully dissolved and there are no lumps.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring continuously with a whisk or wooden spoon to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
3. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and continue to stir. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the pudding thickens considerably and coats the back of a spoon. It should have a creamy, custard-like consistency.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Transfer the hot pudding to a heatproof bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming as it cools. Allow it to cool completely to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours until thoroughly chilled and firm. This step is crucial for easy pastry assembly.

Part 2: Assembling Your Christmas Tree Pastries

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour a clean work surface. Carefully unroll both sheets of defrosted pie crust. If the crust is cracked, gently press the edges together to smooth it out.

3. Using your Christmas tree cookie cutter, cut out as many tree shapes as possible from both pie crusts. You will need an even number of trees, as each pastry consists of two tree cut-outs. Gently re-roll any scraps to cut out additional trees if needed.

4. Arrange half of your Christmas tree cut-outs on the prepared baking sheet. Place a generous tablespoon of the chilled pudding filling in the center of each tree. Be careful not to overfill, leaving a clear border around the edges.

5. Carefully place a second Christmas tree cut-out on top of each filled tree, aligning the edges as best as possible.
6. Use the tines of a fork to gently press down and crimp the edges of each pastry, sealing the filling inside. This not only creates a decorative edge but also prevents the pudding from leaking out during baking.

7. Brush the tops of the assembled pastries lightly with the prepared egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden-brown shine once baked.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-18 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed up and golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary.

9. Carefully remove the pastries from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before decorating.

Part 3: Decorating Your Masterpieces

1. Once the pastries are fully cooled, drizzle or spread your chosen icing over each Christmas tree.
2. Immediately sprinkle with your favorite holiday sprinkles to add a festive touch.

Serve these beautiful Christmas tree pastries with a warm cup of NESTLÉ® ABUELITA Mexican Hot Chocolate for a truly magical holiday breakfast or dessert. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and the precious moments created with your family!

Tips for the Perfect Holiday Treat

• Don’t Skimp on Chilling: Ensure your pudding filling is thoroughly chilled. This makes it much easier to work with and prevents it from becoming too runny during assembly.
• Seal with Care: A good seal around the edges is key to preventing leaks. If desired, you can lightly moisten the edges of the bottom pastry with water before placing the top layer to help them adhere better.
• Get Creative with Shapes: While Christmas trees are adorable, feel free to use other holiday-themed cookie cutters like stars, bells, or even circles for a more traditional hand pie look.
• Vary the Filling: While the NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® pudding is divine, you could also experiment with fruit fillings, chocolate ganache, or even a cream cheese filling for different flavor profiles.
• Gift Giving: Arrange cooled and decorated pastries in festive boxes or cellophane bags tied with ribbons for a charming homemade gift. They transport well and are always appreciated!
• Storage: Store leftover pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Share the Holiday Cheer!

Baking these Christmas tree pastries is more than just following a recipe; it’s about embracing the holiday spirit, slowing down, and savoring the simple joy of creating something delicious with the people you love. The laughter of children, the sweet aroma filling the kitchen, and the shared anticipation of a freshly baked treat—these are the moments that truly make the holidays magical. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let the festive baking begin! These pastries are sure to become a beloved tradition in your home, just as the comfort of NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® and NESTLÉ® ABUELITA have been in mine.

Pin This Delicious Recipe for Later!

Don’t let these delightful holiday pastries be a one-time affair! Pin this recipe to your favorite holiday baking boards so you can easily find it year after year. It’s a tradition you’ll want to revisit.

Ready to create your own batch of holiday magic? Click on the link above for NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Sweetened Condensed Milk and easily shop for all these wonderful ingredients at Walmart!