Quick & Festive Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups Recipe

Delicate cranberry and brie puff pastry cups bring elegant simplicity to any gathering.

Flaky layers of pastry cradle creamy cheese and tart fruit in a delightful bite-sized treat.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these miniature delicacies combine rich textures and bold flavors for an irresistible appetizer.

Crisp golden edges give way to a molten center that melts in your mouth.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes.

Imagine impressing guests with these stunning little morsels that look complex but come together with surprising ease.

You can find these cups are surprisingly simple to craft yet deliver maximum culinary impact.

Explore this recipe and watch magic unfold on your appetizer plate.

What Sets Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups Apart

• These cranberry and brie puff pastry cups transform basic ingredients into a sophisticated appetizer with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for impressing guests without complex cooking techniques.
• The creamy, rich brie cheese perfectly balances the tart, sweet cranberry sauce, creating a delightful taste explosion that dances on your palate with each delicate bite.
• Whipping up these appetizers takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, making them an ideal last-minute party snack or unexpected entertaining solution that looks professionally crafted.
• Suitable for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or casual weekend get-togethers, these bite-sized treats appeal to both adventurous and traditional food lovers with their universal, crowd-pleasing combination of flavors and textures.

Ingredients for Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups

• Puff Pastry: Delicate and buttery base for creating light and crispy cups, pre-thawed for easy handling.
• Brie Cheese: Creamy and rich French cheese that melts beautifully, selecting a soft and ripe wheel for best results.
• Cranberry Sauce: Sweet and tangy sauce that complements the rich cheese, homemade or store-bought works well.

• Black Pepper: Optional subtle spice to add depth to the rich cheese and sweet sauce.
• Fresh Thyme: Optional herb that provides a subtle earthy note and elegant garnish.

• Honey: Gentle sweetener that can drizzle over the finished pastry cups for extra flavor complexity.
• Chopped Nuts: Optional crunchy topping that adds texture and nutty undertones to the appetizer.

How to Make Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). This perfect temperature will help create golden, flaky pastry cups that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Step 2: Craft Pastry Bases

• Slice pastry into 3-inch squares
• Gently nudge each square into mini muffin tin cups
• Press softly to create little nests

Step 3: Layer Flavor Treasures

• Nestle a creamy brie slice in the center of each cup
• Spoon cranberry sauce generously over the cheese
• Spread sauce evenly to cover the brie

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

• Bake for 10-12 minutes
• Watch for pastry edges turning a gorgeous golden brown
• Ensure cheese becomes beautifully melted and bubbly

Step 5: Rest And Serve

• Let pastry cups rest in the tin for 5-7 minutes
• This helps them set and intensifies their incredible flavors
• Carefully transfer to a serving platter
• Enjoy while still warm and irresistibly delicious

Pro Tips for Puff Pastry Cup Perfection

• Perfect Pastry Placement: Press puff pastry squares gently but firmly into muffin tin cups, creating smooth, even edges for a professional-looking appetizer.
• Cheese Cutting Hack: Use a sharp, warm knife to slice brie cleanly and uniformly, ensuring each cup gets an equal, clean portion of cheese.
• Golden Brown Guidance: Watch pastry edges closely during baking; light golden brown indicates perfect crispness without burning the delicate puff pastry.
• Cooling Technique: Let appetizers rest in the tin for exactly 5 minutes to set the filling and prevent burning your fingers when removing.
• Flavor Enhancement Trick: Consider adding a small fresh thyme leaf or a drizzle of honey on top just before serving to elevate the taste profile and impress guests.

Storing and Reheating Your Puff Pastry Cups

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them crisp and fresh.
• Reheat in Oven: Warm pastry cups at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their original crispiness and melty cheese texture.
• Avoid Microwave: Skip microwaving, as it can make the delicate pastry soggy and diminish the appetizing golden-brown crunch.

Best Pairings for Cranberry and Brie Bites

• Pair with Sparkling Wine: Enhance the creamy brie and tart cranberry flavors with a crisp champagne or prosecco, cutting through the richness and complementing the delicate pastry.
• Match with Light Salad: Serve alongside a fresh arugula salad with toasted walnuts and a light vinaigrette, balancing the rich pastry cups with a bright, peppery contrast.
• Serve with Herbal Cocktail: Complement the sweet and savory notes with a gin-based cocktail featuring rosemary or thyme, bringing out the subtle herb undertones in the dish.
• Enjoy with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creamy brie and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet cranberry sauce.

Creative Twists on This Puff Pastry Appetizer

• Herbed Sensation: Sprinkle fresh thyme or rosemary on top of the brie before adding cranberry sauce for an aromatic herb-infused version.
• Nutty Crunch: Scatter chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the melted brie to introduce a delightful textural element and rich, earthy flavor.
• Spicy Berry Burst: Mix a pinch of red pepper flakes into the cranberry sauce to create a sweet and spicy profile that brightens the appetizer's taste.
• Caramelized Elegance: Drizzle a thin layer of honey or maple syrup over the finished pastry cups to add a subtle caramelized sweetness and glossy finish.

FAQ for Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups

• Can I make these Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cups up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator before baking. Just cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap to keep them fresh.

• What if I can't find fresh cranberry sauce?

No worries! You can use store-bought cranberry sauce or even substitute with other fruit preserves like raspberry or fig jam. The key is to have a sweet and tangy topping.

• How do I prevent the puff pastry from sticking to the muffin tin?

Lightly spray the muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or brush with melted butter before placing the pastry squares. This will help them release easily after baking.

• Can I freeze these pastry cups?

Absolutely! Once baked and cooled, you can freeze these cups in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Simply reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before serving.

Cranberry And Brie Puff Pastry Cups Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Cups bring elegant French-inspired flavors to holiday appetizers. Crisp pastry shells cradle creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce, offering perfect bite-sized elegance you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 puff pastry sheets (thawed)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) brie cheese

Filling:

• 1.5 cups (355 milliliters) whole berry cranberry sauce

Garnish:

• Thyme (fresh)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 375°F, creating the ideal environment for transforming delicate pastry into golden, crispy cups.
2. Unfold the thawed puff pastry and meticulously slice into precise 3-inch squares, ensuring uniform size and shape for consistent baking.
3. Tenderly press each pastry square into the mini muffin tin’s wells, gently coaxing the dough to conform to the curved contours with elegant precision.
4. Select premium brie and slice into compact portions, nestling each piece centrally within the pastry’s soft embrace.
5. Dollop vibrant cranberry sauce atop the brie, allowing the crimson compote to spread with graceful irregularity across the creamy cheese surface.
6. Slide the laden muffin tin into the preheated oven, witnessing the pastry’s transformation as corners curl and crisp to a delicate golden hue.
7. Monitor the cups for approximately 10 minutes, watching for the telltale signs of perfect doneness: puffy edges, molten cheese, and a glistening cranberry sheen.
8. Remove from the oven and permit the delicate pastry cups to rest and settle for several minutes, allowing flavors to meld and temperatures to stabilize before serving.

Notes

• Elevate your appetizer game with this elegant and simple party-perfect bite-sized treat that combines creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce.
• Thaw puff pastry completely at room temperature for at least 30-40 minutes to ensure easy, smooth handling without cracking.
• Use a mini muffin tin to create perfectly uniform, bite-sized cups that make serving and presentation effortless and professional.
• Select a high-quality cranberry sauce or homemade preserve with balanced sweetness to complement the rich, creamy brie cheese.
• Watch carefully during baking to prevent over-browning; golden-brown pastry edges and melted cheese indicate perfect doneness.
• Allow cups to cool slightly before serving to let flavors meld and prevent burning your guests’ mouths with hot filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg