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–+ servings

Baked Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites in Flaky Puff Pastry

Golden, shatteringly crisp puff pastry cups overflowing with warm molten French brie cheese, sweet-tart spiced orange cranberry compote, toasted pecans, and fresh rosemary. The ultimate elegant 25-minute holiday party finger food and Thanksgiving appetizer!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 24 bites
Calories: 175

Ingredients
  

For the Puff Pastry & Molten Brie
  • 1 sheet all-butter puff pastry thawed but cold, rolled and cut into 24 uniform 2-inch squares
  • 8 oz wheel French Brie cheese chilled, cut into 24 bite-sized 3/4-inch cubes (rind left on)
  • 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter for greasing mini muffin tin
For the Spiced Orange Cranberry Compote
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/3 cup pure amber maple syrup or orange blossom honey
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp fresh orange zest
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
For the Topping & Garnish
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans lightly toasted
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped (plus 24 mini sprigs for festive garnish)
  • 2 tbsp warm honey for drizzling
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt such as Maldon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Simmer Spiced Cranberry Compote: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and thicken into a glossy, sweet-tart compote. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  2. Preheat Oven and Prep Mini Muffin Tin: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with melted butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Cut Pastry & Form Cups: On a lightly floured surface, roll out thawed puff pastry sheet to approx. 10x15 inches. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 24 equal squares (4x6 grid). Gently press each square into a mini muffin cup, allowing the pastry corners to point upwards.
  4. Fill with Brie & Cranberry: Place one cube of chilled Brie cheese into the center of each pastry cup. Top each cheese cube with 1 generous teaspoon of the spiced cranberry compote, followed by a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans and finely chopped rosemary.
  5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake at 375°F for 14 to 16 minutes until puff pastry corners are puffed, deeply golden brown, and crisp, and the brie is bubbling and melted.
  6. Garnish and Serve Warm: Remove from oven and let rest in the tin for 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully lift bites onto a serving platter. Drizzle lightly with warm honey, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and top each bite with a fresh mini rosemary sprig. Serve warm!

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 5gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

Chef Tip: Do not remove the rind from the brie cheese! The rind is completely edible, helps the cheese hold its shape during the initial bake, and melts into creamy perfection. Chilling the brie for 15 minutes before slicing makes cutting clean cubes effortless.

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