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As the festive season arrives there’s no better time to try your hand at a dessert that will be stunning and delicous!

This Christmas Wreath pastry is delectable dessert using the flaky layers of phyllo dough.

You will love the golden, paper-thin layers that hold the promise of a crispy, flaky delight, perfectly suited for the season of indulgence.

By following our step by step instructions you too can learn how to make a Christmas dessert that will be a masterpiece of both artistry and flavor, a delightful centerpiece for your festive celebration.

What is phyllo dough?

Phyllo pastry (also spelled filo or fillo) is a type of dough used in various Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Phyllo pastry sheets are thin layers of this dough that come packaged and can be used to create a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes.

These sheets are typically sold in a frozen state and need to be thawed before use. The thinness of phyllo pastry sheets allows for the creation of delicate and crispy layers when baked. Many popular dishes, such as baklava, spanakopita, and various appetizers, use phyllo pastry to achieve a flaky and light texture.

When working with phyllo pastry sheets, it’s essential to handle them carefully, as they are thin and delicate.

Phyllo pastry sheets offer a versatile and convenient option for creating impressive and flavorful dishes with a delightful texture.

How to make a Christmas Wreath Pastry

Ingredients:

1 package of Phyllo pastry sheets

1 cup of unsalted butter melted for brushing 

Maple syrup or honey

 Vanilla- lemon Custard :

1/4 cup of unsalted butter

3/4 cup of sugar

Lemon peel from one lemon

1 cup of arrowroot powder or cornstarch or Maizena choose your favorite.

3 cups of milk

1 can of evaporated milk

1 tbsp of vanilla 

Instructions:

• Melt the butter add the sugar, and lemon peel
• Pour the evaporated milk and mix
• In a large cup mix the cornstarch and the 3 cups of cold milk until is not lumpy
• Pour the milk and whisking constantly in a medium heat and keep whisking until the custard thickens
• Set aside to cool down

*I follow the baking time from the box of the pastry and it took mine just took 18 minutes. 

How to fold the pastry

1. Lay one phyllo dough vertically and brush with butter then place another sheet on top and brush with butter
2. Heap one tablespoon of custard (or filling of your choice) at the bottom right
3. Heap on tablespoon of custard at the bottom left and one tablespoon in the center
4. Fold phyllo dough over custard and seal by pressing down
5. Fold again and bring in the sides, the fold up once more
6. Crinckle excess phyllo and fold the pastry parcel over so it stis on top- then turn it over
7. Use a scissor to cut into three parcles and pinch ends tightly. Repeat.
8. Place in a baking pie dish and brush with butter
9. Bake for about 18-20 minutes
10. Remove from oven and pour cooled syrup over the pastry and arange in a wreath shape

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Christmas Wreath Pastry

Learn how to make a beautiful Christmas Wreath dessert using phyllo dough. You will impress your family and friends with this delicious dish. You will learn what phyllo dough is and alternate fillings to use to make your wreath unique!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword christmas, dessert, phyllo dough

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 538kcal

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 1 package of Phyllo pastry sheets
• 1 cup of unsalted butter melted for brushing
• Maple syrup or honey

Vanilla- lemon Custard :

• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• Lemon peel from one lemon
• 1 cup of arrowroot powder or cornstarch or Maizena choose your favorite.
• 3 cups of milk
• 1 can of evaporated milk
• 1 tbsp of vanilla

Instructions

To make the custard filling

• Melt the butter add the sugar, and lemon peel
• Pour the evaporated milk and mix
• In a large cup mix the cornstarch and the 3 cups of cold milk until is not lumpy
• Pour the milk and whisking constantly in a medium heat and keep whisking until the custard thickens
• Set aside to cool down

How to fold the pastry

• Lay one phyllo dough vertically and brush with butter then place another sheet on top and brush with butter
• Heap one tablespoon of custard (or filling of your choice) at the bottom right
• Heap on tablespoon of custard at the bottom left and one tablespoon in the center
• Fold phyllo dough over custard and seal by pressing down
• Fold again and bring in the sides, the fold up once more
• Crinckle excess phyllo and fold the pastry parcel over so it stis on top- then turn it over
• Use a scissor to cut into three parcles and pinch ends tightly. Repeat.
• Place in a baking pie dish and brush with butter
• Bake for about 18-20 minutes
• Remove from oven and pour cooled syrup over the pastry and arange in a wreath shape

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 1mg

Other filling ideas

Phyllo dough’s versatility allows for a wide range of both sweet and savory fillings. Here are some delicious ideas to inspire your phyllo dough dish:

Savory Fillings:

1. Spinach and Feta: A classic combination for spanakopita. Sautéed spinach, onions, and garlic mixed with crumbled feta cheese.
2. Cheese and Herb: Blend cream cheese or ricotta with fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley.
3. Mushroom and Gruyère: Sautéed mushrooms with shallots and Gruyère cheese for a rich and earthy filling.
4. Sundried Tomato and Pesto: Spread pesto on the phyllo sheets and layer with sundried tomatoes for a burst of Mediterranean flavors.
5. Buffalo Chicken: Shredded cooked chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, mixed with cream cheese or blue cheese, for a spicy twist.

Sweet Fillings:

1. Apple and Cinnamon: Sliced apples mixed with cinnamon, sugar, and a touch of nutmeg for a comforting dessert.
2. Chocolate Hazelnut: Spread Nutella or a homemade chocolate-hazelnut spread between the layers for a decadent treat.
3. Berry and Cream: A mix of fresh berries layered with sweetened whipped cream or a custard.
4. Honey and Walnut: Chopped walnuts mixed with honey and a hint of cinnamon for a sweet and nutty filling.
5. Pumpkin and Spice: A seasonal favorite with pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Remember to brush each layer of phyllo dough with melted butter or oil as you assemble your dish to achieve that desired flaky and crispy texture. Whether you choose a savory or sweet direction, phyllo dough provides a perfect canvas for creating impressive and delicious dishes.

Other desserts you may enjoy:

• Authentic Mexican Bunuelos
• Cherry Cobbler on the Traeger
• Authentic Empanadas
• Christmas Tree Puff Pastry

The post Christmas Wreath Pastry appeared first on My Latina Table.

This Easy Pecan Atole Recipe only needs a few ingredients, is delicious, and is the perfect addition to your holiday traditions this year.

One thing that really took me by surprise when I moved to the United States from Mexico was the difference in holiday traditions. Christmas in Mexico is celebrated, but not as much as New Year. I love how we celebrated both of these holidays in Mexico, but I also have grown to really love all of the fun Christmas traditions that I now celebrate with my family here in the United States.

That said, I do love to incorporate as many of my traditions as possible also. For example, there are some very traditional recipes that are made in Mexico this time of year. One of those is today’s recipe for Pecan Atole. Atole is a thick, sweet, and warm drink that is prepared in Mexico throughout the year. You can make so many different varieties by changing up a few of the ingredients.

One common ingredient that you will need is La Lechera Sweetened Condensed Milk. This ingredient goes great with so many different Mexican recipes, and it is an absolute must to make this pecan atole. La Lechera is available at most stores in the United States and in Mexico and I always stock up on it for the many recipes that I make this time of year. You can find even more recipes using it at this link.

You will be surprised how good this tastes! The good think is that it doesn’t take too long to make, and you don’t need very many ingredients.

I always like to prepare this for my family on Christmas morning, and I haven’t had any complaints yet. 🙂

If you are looking for something new to add to your holiday menu, try this recipe as soon as possible and don’t forget to let me know how it turns out.

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Easy Pecan Atole Recipe

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 1 Liter of Milk
• 1 Can of La Lechera Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 Can of Evaporated Milk
• 1 Cup of Pecans
• 6 Tablespoons of Cornstarch
• 1 Cup of Water
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla

Instructions

• Dissolve the cornstarch in the water.
• Add the pecan to 1 cup of milk and blend in a blender.
• Heat the rest of the milk along with the cinnamon stick and vanilla in a large pot.
• When the milk begins to boil, add the pecan-milk mixture and let boil for 3 minutes.
• Add the evaporated milk and La Lechera Sweetened Condensed Milk to the pot, stir, and let boil for 5 additional minutes.
• Add the cornstarch that was dissolved in water and stir until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Serve with freshly baked sweet bread or by itself.

The post Easy Pecan Atole Recipe appeared first on My Latina Table.

Pineapple-Glazed Ham is a perfect addition to your holiday meal plan. It is easy to make and tastes amazing.

Pork + Pineapple may not be a flavor combination that everyone thinks of all the time, but it should be! Growing up in Mexico, one of my favorite dishes were the delicious Tacos Al Pastor, which consist of marinated pork, cooked with fresh pineapples and then topped with additional pineapple and salsa.

Today’s recipe is similar, in that it includes both pork, and pineapple. This pineapple-glazed ham is not what you would normally think of when you think of Mexican food, but I can assure you that it is popular there. It is something that most people don’t make often, but it shows up around the holidays every year.

I really think that pork is an underappreciated meat. It is so versatile, so delicious, and healthy too! I, for one, always look for great pork options when I go to restaurants. You can find many different recipes like this one by going to PorkBeInspired.com. You can also find local stores that have great cuts of pork at affordable prices.

Whether you are making a simple dinner using pork or a succulent pineapple-glazed ham for a holiday celebration, your family is going to be impressed. This particular recipe is very easy to make. You will create a homemade glaze using brown sugar, white wine, and pineapple juice (along with a few other ingredients). To give it even more flavor, you will add slices of sweet pineapple along the outside so that all of those delicious juices will be incorporated into the ham as it cooks.

I really hope that you give this recipe a shot this holiday season. You will not regret it and your family will be happy too! Check out the recipe below and let me know how it turns out.

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Pineapple-Glazed Ham

Pineapple-Glazed Ham is a perfect addition to your holiday meal plan. It is easy to make and tastes amazing. 

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 1 Ten Pound fully cooked spiral sliced ham
• 1 Stick of butter melted
• 1/2 Cup of White Cooking Wine
• 1/4 Cup of Pineapple Juice
• 1 1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar
• 1 Can of Pineapple slices
• 1 Jar of Maraschino Cherries
• 10 Cloves

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
• Place the ham in a large, deep baking pan
• Stick the Pineapple Slices and Cherries along the outside of the ham using toothpicks, until completely covered.
• Stick the cloves into the ham in the areas that are not covered by the pineapple and the cherries.
• Combine the brown sugar, the melted butter, the white wine, and the pineapple juice and mix until completely incorporated.
• Pour the above mixture over the ham.
• Top with aluminum paper and bake for 35 minutes.

The post Pineapple-Glazed Ham Recipe appeared first on My Latina Table.