Duchess Potatoes Christmas Tree: Easy and Delicious!

This festive twist on the classic duchess potatoes is as fun as it is delicious. This snack is basically a spread of perfectly piped, golden, and creamy mashed potatoes shaped into little trees, sprinkled with parmesan and pesto and crowned with cheese stars.

Whether you're aiming to impress your guests at a Christmas dinner or just looking for a fun side dish, these Christmas Tree Duchess Potatoes are the way to go! Let’s be honest, who wouldn't want to dig into a tree made of mashed potatoes?

Originally, duchess potatoes were made by piping mashed potatoes mixed with egg yolk and butter into fancy shapes, then baking them to a crispy perfection. Now, we’re taking it to the next level by turning them into miniature Christmas trees.

Pro Tips for the Best Duchess Potato Christmas Trees

• Choose the Right Potatoes. Opt for starchy potatoes like Russets. These will mash up beautifully and give you that creamy texture you’re looking for.
• Don’t leave out the egg yolk. The egg yolk helps bind everything together, giving the potatoes their signature rich texture.
• Make sure your mashed potatoes are properly seasoned before piping them. The pesto and parmesan will add flavor, but a little salt and pepper go a long way.
• Ensure your oven is hot and ready to crisp up those potatoes by preheating it at 180°C/360°F.
• Let the potatoes cool a bit before you stick your cheese stars on, they’ll hold better!

Can I Use Sweet Potatoes For This Recipe?

You can! Sweet potatoes will give a different flavor profile, but the creamy mashed texture and golden finish will still work. Just be mindful of the sweetness they bring to the dish.

Can I Skip the Pesto?

The pesto adds a herby flavor, but you can swap it for garlic butter or leave it out entirely if you're looking for a simpler taste.

How do I Make the Stars for The Christmas Trees?

For the stars, use a soft cheese like cream cheese or cheddar. Roll the cheese into small balls, flatten them, and cut out star shapes with a cookie cutter. Then stick them on the potatoes with toothpicks.

What’s The Best Way to Decorate the Trees?

Soft cheese stars make a great decoration, but you can also use olives or even edible gold dust for a little sparkle.

How to Store Leftovers

If you have any leftover duchess potatoes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat them in the oven for 10 minutes at 180°C/360°F to bring back that crispy edge.

How to Make Duchess Potato Christmas Trees

Step 1. Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Prick them, add the water, and cover with microwave-safe cling film and microwave for 12 minutes.

Step 2. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and mash them in a large bowl. Add the egg yolk, pesto, and parmesan. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 3. Fill a piping bag with the potato mixture and pipe tree shapes onto a parchment-lined baking tray.

Step 4. Place the tray in the oven at 180°C/360°F for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown.

Step 5. Once the potatoes have cooled, create little cheese stars using a soft cheese. Then, stick them onto the trees with toothpicks and serve.