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Holiday Baked Brie Puff Pastry Bites with Cranberry & Pecan

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These Holiday Baked Brie Puff Pastry Bites with Cranberry & Pecan are the perfect holiday appetizer—flaky puff pastry, melted brie, and a sweet-tart cranberry-pecan topping. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re elegant enough for a cocktail party but simple enough for a cozy family gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 8 ounces brie cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Flaky sea salt (for finishing)
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Make the cranberry topping: In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped pecans. Let cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to about 1/8-inch thick. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Gather scraps, press together, and re-roll to cut more if needed.
  4. Pre-bake the pastry rounds: Place the pastry rounds on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Prick each round a few times with a fork. Bake for 5 minutes, until lightly golden and starting to puff.
  5. Cut the brie: While the pastry pre-bakes, cut the brie into 12 equal cubes, about 1/2 inch each. Trim thick rind slightly if desired, but leave most on.
  6. Assemble the bites: Remove pre-baked pastry from oven. Place one cube of brie in the center of each pastry round. Top each with about 1 teaspoon of the cranberry-pecan mixture.
  7. Apply the egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Lightly brush the exposed edges of the pastry with the egg wash.
  8. Bake the bites: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the pastry is deep golden brown and the brie is melted and bubbly.
  9. Finish and serve: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

Keep puff pastry cold for best flakiness. Don’t skip the pre-bake step—it prevents soggy pastry. Watch cranberries carefully to avoid burning. Best served within 15 minutes of baking. Can prep cranberry topping up to 3 days ahead. For air fryer: cook at 375°F for 6-8 minutes. To freeze: freeze unbaked assembled bites, then bake from frozen adding 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked brie, puff pastry bites, cranberry pecan, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, party food, Christmas appetizer, New Year's Eve appetizer

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/holiday-baked-brie-puff-pastry-bites-with-cranberry-and-pecan/