Description
Cranberry and Cheese Puff Pastry Bites are flaky, golden pastries filled with melted cheese and a sweet-tart Amaretto cranberry sauce, perfect for holiday appetizers or party snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- Amaretto Cranberry Sauce: 2 cups fresh or frozen whole cranberries
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 ounces Amaretto liqueur
- Puff Pastry Bites: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
- 8 ounces cheese of choice (Gouda Gruyere blend, brie, gouda, or gruyere)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cranberry sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, orange juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in Amaretto. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares or desired bite-sized shapes.
- Place a small amount of cheese in the center of each square and a spoonful of cooled cranberry sauce on top.
- Fold or seal the puff pastry around the filling, brushing edges with beaten egg to help seal.
- Brush the tops of pastries with egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Do not thaw frozen cranberries before cooking to prevent mushy sauce.
- Cheese choice can be adjusted to preference; stronger cheeses pair well with tart cranberries.
- Puff pastry can be kept frozen until ready to use.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, but can be reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / European-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bites
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg