Description
These Holiday Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tartlets are festive, easy-to-make appetizers perfect for holiday entertaining. They feature flaky puff pastry filled with creamy brie cheese, sweet tangy cranberry sauce, crunchy nuts, and aromatic fresh herbs, all finished with a warm drizzle of cinnamon-infused honey for a delightful sweet and savory bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry Layer
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 2 small brie wheels (6–8 oz each), rind on and chilled
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry works best)
- ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or sage), finely chopped
Glaze and Topping
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out both sheets of puff pastry and cut each sheet into 8 squares, yielding a total of 16 squares for your tartlets.
- Cut Brie: Cut the chilled brie wheels into 16 equal cubes, approximately 1-inch pieces, ready to be placed on each pastry square.
- Assemble Tartlets: Place a cube of brie in the center of each puff pastry square. Dollop about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce over the brie, sprinkle with chopped nuts, and add a pinch of finely chopped fresh herbs to each tartlet.
- Shape Tartlets: Fold the corners of each pastry square up towards the center, twisting or pinching the edges to close and create small tartlet bundles.
- Prepare Cinnamon Honey: In a small bowl, combine the honey with ground cinnamon and warm slightly, either in the microwave or a small pan, to blend the flavors smoothly.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Mix the egg with water to make an egg wash and brush it over each tartlet to achieve a golden brown finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes or until the pastry is puffed, golden, and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove tartlets from the oven and immediately drizzle the warm cinnamon-honey mixture over each one for a sweet and spiced glaze just before serving.
Notes
- For best results, keep the brie and puff pastry well chilled before assembly to prevent sogginess and help maintain shape.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce adds texture and bursts of flavor that complement the creamy brie.
- You can substitute the nuts with your preferred choice, such as almonds or hazelnuts, based on taste or availability.
- Fresh herbs can be varied or omitted depending on your preference; dried herbs can be used but reduce quantity as they are more concentrated.
- Make sure to seal the pastry edges well to keep the filling inside while baking.
- If desired, prepare tartlets ahead of time and bake just before serving to maintain freshness and flakiness.
