Pin It A festive, savory dip featuring creamy pesto filling shaped into a star and surrounded by crispy cracker edges perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.
This was a hit at our last holiday party, and everyone asked for the recipe.
Ingredients
- For the Pesto Dip: 200 g cream cheese softened, 100 g ricotta cheese, 80 g basil pesto (store-bought or homemade), 1 garlic clove finely minced, 20 g grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp lemon juice, Salt and black pepper to taste
- For the Star Shape & Cracker Edges: 1 sheet puff pastry (about 250 g) thawed, 1 egg beaten (for egg wash), 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional for garnish), Extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut Pastry:
- Roll out the puff pastry to about 3 mm thick and cut out a star shape using a large star-shaped cookie cutter about 20 cm across. Place the star on the baking sheet.
- Form Edges:
- Cut strips about 1.5 cm wide from remaining pastry. Arrange these around the star edges to form a raised border and press gently to seal.
- Brush and Garnish:
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle sesame seeds and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Let cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare Dip:
- Combine cream cheese, ricotta, pesto, garlic, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble:
- Transfer cooled pastry base to serving platter and spread pesto dip evenly inside the border.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately using crispy edges as crackers to scoop dip.
Pin It My family loves gathering around this dip during the holidays; kids especially enjoy using the crispy edges as scoops.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, Parchment paper, Star-shaped cookie cutter (or paper template), Mixing bowl, Spatula
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (puff pastry), milk (cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan), and eggs. May contain nuts if pesto contains pine nuts. Always check labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 240 calories, 15 g total fat, 17 g carbohydrates, 6 g protein.
Pin It Enjoy this festive dip as a crowd-pleaser at any party with minimal effort and maximum delight.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make the pastry edges crispy?
Brush the pastry edges with a beaten egg before baking and optionally sprinkle sesame seeds or extra cheese to enhance browning and crunch.
- → Can I prepare the dip in advance?
Yes, the creamy pesto filling can be mixed ahead of time and chilled. Add it to the pastry star just before serving for best texture.
- → What alternatives can I use for basil pesto?
You can substitute basil pesto with sun-dried tomato pesto or olive tapenade for different flavor profiles.
- → Is gluten-free pastry suitable for this dish?
Absolutely, gluten-free puff pastry works well and accommodates dietary preferences without compromising taste or texture.
- → How can I serve this for a party?
Place the pesto-filled star on a platter and encourage guests to scoop the dip using the crispy cracker-like edges for an interactive appetizer.