Description
Delight your guests with these festive Holiday Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tartlets. Featuring flaky puff pastry wrapped around creamy brie, tangy cranberry sauce, crunchy nuts, and fragrant fresh herbs, finished with a sweet cinnamon-honey drizzle, these tartlets make an elegant appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry and Cheese
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 2 small brie wheels (6–8 oz each), rind on and chilled
Fillings and Toppings
- 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
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for spiced honey twist)
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cut Puff Pastry: Roll out both sheets of thawed puff pastry and cut each into 8 equal squares, making 16 squares total.
- Prepare Brie: Cut the chilled brie wheels into 16 cubes about 1 inch each to fit perfectly on the pastry squares.
- Assemble Tartlets: Place one brie cube in the center of each pastry square. Top each with one teaspoon of cranberry sauce, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, and a pinch of finely chopped fresh herbs to layer flavors.
- Shape Pastry: Fold up the corners of each pastry square to create small bundles or twist into tartlet shapes, pinching the edges tightly to seal in the filling.
- Prepare Spiced Honey: In a small bowl, combine honey and ground cinnamon, then warm slightly to blend the flavors together smoothly.
- Egg Wash & Bake: Mix the egg with water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of each pastry tartlet with the egg wash to achieve a golden, glossy finish. Bake for 18–22 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the brie is bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, drizzle the warm cinnamon-honey mixture over each tartlet just before serving to add a sweet and aromatic glaze.
Notes
- Use whole berry cranberry sauce for texture and a burst of flavor.
- Chilling the brie before cutting helps it hold its shape while assembling.
- Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage add a festive aroma but can be adjusted to preference.
- Egg wash is essential for a golden and shiny pastry finish.
- Serve warm for the best melty brie experience and drizzle honey just before serving to prevent sogginess.
