The 4-Ingredient Finnish Treats I Make Every Year for Christmas

These puff pastry stars are easy to make and so festive.

By
Kristina Vänni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vänni
Internationally recognized culinary authority Kristina Vänni is a well-known food writer, engaging TV host, and accomplished recipe developer. Her work is featured in industry-leading publications including Better Homes and Gardens, Food52, TheKitchn, Taste of Home, and Simply Recipes.
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Published December 03, 2025
Kristina Vanni
Tray of Finnish joulutortut pastries shaped like stars with a jam filling

Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
  • You only need four main ingredients to make these festive Finnish Christmas pastries at home.
  • These star-shaped treats bring an authentic Scandinavian touch to your holiday spread.
  • The not-too-sweet prune filling is balanced by airy, golden puff pastry and a shower of powdered sugar in every bite.

In Finland, any gathering or celebration in the month of December is likely to have a plate of Joulutortut for guests to enjoy. These prune-filled, star-shaped pastries are one of the most ubiquitous treats during the holiday season, and Finns like myself just can’t get enough of them. They also happen to be incredibly easy to make using only four simple main ingredients. 

Plate of Joulutortut pastries with dark filling in the center

Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni

Finnish Christmas Season Traditions

When you live in the land of Santa Claus (he’s up in Rovaniemi, Finland, just over the border into the Arctic Circle), Christmas is so much more than just one day each year. In fact, Finns love to celebrate with Pikkujoulu (Little Christmas) parties for weeks leading up to Christmas (Joulu). 

I like to think of these Little Christmas parties in the same way we might have a “Friendsgiving” here in the States. While Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are reserved for family, these gatherings are a bit more lively and usually filled with friends or co-workers. There are always snacks and treats, and very likely some glögi, Finland’s version of mulled wine. 

It is guaranteed that you will also find a platter of these Christmas pastry stars at just about every Little Christmas party. They always get gobbled up quickly, and look like festive little snowflakes decked out on a platter.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Prune Filling

Years ago, when I was first introduced to this recipe by my Finnish family, I was a bit skeptical of the idea of a prune filling. As a child, Christmas treats were peppermint, chocolate, or warm winter spices.

After one bite, I was easily convinced. These pastries are a welcome pivot from the cloyingly sweet treats we are used to in the US. The dried fruit cooks down to a thick, jam-like paste, and the sticky texture is the perfect foil for the light-as-air puff pastry. 

You can feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom to the traditional filling if you want to play around a bit. I have also come to appreciate that these treats are just as delicious with a morning coffee as they are with a festive cocktail. 

While these Joulutortut have been a favorite in my family for years, I love introducing others to our Christmas traditions as well. I have found they are an exciting way to add international flair to a cookie exchange.

A plate of Finnish joulutortut pastries topped with fruit filling

Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni

Joulutortut (Finnish Christmas Stars)

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 60 mins
Servings 18 servings
Yield 18 stars
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Ingredients

  • 1 (17.3-ounce) box frozen puff pastry sheets (2 sheets)

  • 1 cup (6 ounces) pitted prunes

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • All-purpose flour, for counter

  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

    Arrange the oven racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions.

  2.  Thaw the puff pastry:

    Remove the puff pastry sheets from the freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature according to the package directions, 30 to 40 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, make the prune filling:

    In a medium saucepan, combine the prunes, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the prunes are very soft, about 20 minutes. 

    Remove the pan from the heat. Use an  immersion blender (or transfer to a stand blender) to blend until the mixture has the consistency of a thick paste. (Blend carefully, as the mixture will be hot). Set aside to cool until the puff pastry sheets are ready to shape.

    Pot with prunes being stirred with a spatula for the Joulutortut (Finnish Christmas pastry) recipe

    Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
    Hand blender blending prune and sugar mixture for the Joulutortut (Finnish Christmas pastry) recipe in a pot

    Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
  4. Shape the stars: 

    On a lightly floured surface, unfold each puff pastry sheet and cut each into thirds along the fold lines (forming 6 total rectangles). Then, cut each rectangle crosswise into thirds to form three 3 squares, about 3x3 inches each. (This will yield 9 squares from each sheet, 18 squares total.) 

    Working from each corner into the center, make slits about 1 1/2 inches long. Fold every other piece inwards toward the center to form a pinwheel or star shape. Press down lightly to adhere.

    Puff pastry dough cut into strips and squares the Joulutortut (Finnish Christmas pastry) recipe on a wooden board some folded into star shapes

    Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
    Hands folding dough for the Joulutortut (Finnish Christmas pastry) recipe into star-shapes on a wooden surface surrounded by completed pastries and flour

    Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
  5. Fill:

    Spoon a heaping teaspoon of the prune paste into the center of each star. Arrange the stars about 2 inches apart on two baking sheets. (You may have some extra prune paste left over.)

    Preparing the Joulutortut (Finnish Christmas pastry) recipe with jam filling on a baking sheet a hand using a tool for shaping bowl of filling nearby

    Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
  6. Bake:

    Bake until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes, switching and rotating the sheets halfway through baking. 

  7. Cool, dust, and serve:

    Transfer the stars to a wire rack and cool for about 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately. 

    These pastries are best enjoyed the same day they are baked. However, should there be any leftovers, they can be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They can be revived by warming them in a 350°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes and dusted again with powdered sugar.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Tray of joulutortut Finnish Christmas pastries shaped like stars with a dark filling in the center

    Simply Recipes / Kristina Vänni
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
189 Calories
11g Fat
22g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 18
Amount per serving
Calories 189
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 13%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 70mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 86mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.