Holiday Appetizers Baked from Frozen
Holiday appetizers baked from frozen are a practical way to keep entertaining simple while still serving a warm, crowd-pleasing spread. This recipe combines frozen puff pastry, creamy brie, tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans into crisp bite-size appetizers that look festive and polished with very little hands-on work.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed according to package directions
- 170 grams brie cheese rind on or trimmed if preferred, cut into 24 small pieces
- 120 milliliters whole berry cranberry sauce
- 40 grams pecans finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 15 milliliters water
- 2 grams fresh thyme leaves
- 5 grams all-purpose flour for dusting the work surface
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a large baking sheet or two smaller baking sheets with parchment paper. Let the puff pastry thaw until it is cold but pliable enough to unfold without cracking.
- Lightly dust the work surface with the flour and unfold the puff pastry sheet. Roll it gently just enough to even the seams and create a neat rectangle, then cut it into 24 equal squares.
- Arrange the pastry squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. If the pastry becomes too soft, place the tray in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before filling.
- Place 1 piece of brie in the center of each pastry square. Top each with about 5 milliliters cranberry sauce and a small pinch of chopped pecans.
- Bring the corners of each pastry square slightly inward around the filling, leaving the tops partly open so the brie and cranberry remain visible. Press very lightly so the shape holds without fully sealing.
- Whisk the egg with the water in a small bowl to make an egg wash. Brush the exposed pastry edges lightly with the egg wash for even browning.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the pastry is puffed and deep golden and the cheese is soft and melted.
- Remove the tray from the oven and let the appetizers rest for 10 minutes so the filling can settle slightly and the pastry stays crisp. Sprinkle with the fresh thyme leaves just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition is an approximate estimate per serving based on 24 appetizers and will vary with the brand of puff pastry, cranberry sauce, and brie used.
Refrigerate leftover appetizers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.