About this recipe

Golden, flaky puff pastry cups filled with creamy melted brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce — these crowd-pleasing bites are the ultimate holiday appetizer. Ready in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients, they look impressive but couldn't be easier to pull together.

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to ![375°F]. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.

2. 2

   Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. If using two sheets, stack them and gently roll to smooth any creases. Cut each sheet into a 4×3 grid to yield 12 squares per sheet (24 squares total), each roughly 3 inches square.

3. 3

   Press one pastry square into each cup of the mini muffin tin, gently pushing it into the bottom and up the sides so the corners stick up like little petals. It's okay if they're a little rustic — they'll puff and look beautiful.

4. 4

   Place one cube of brie cheese (rind removed) into the center of each pastry cup.

5. 5

   Spoon about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of the brie cheese in each cup. Don't overfill — you want just enough to crown the brie without spilling over the edges during baking.

6. 6

   If using, sprinkle a pinch of fresh rosemary and/or a few pecans over each cup for extra flavor and texture.

7. 7

   Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg wash. This gives the bites a beautiful golden-brown color as they bake.

8. 8

   Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and deep golden brown and the brie cheese is fully melted and bubbling. Keep a close eye after 15 minutes — ovens vary.

9. 9

   Remove from the oven and let the bites cool in the tin for 3–5 minutes. This helps them firm up so they release cleanly. Run a small knife or spatula around the edges if any are sticking, then lift them out.

10. 10

    Transfer to a serving platter. If desired, drizzle lightly with honey just before serving. Serve warm for the best melty, gooey experience.