Buttery Cranberry Brie & Pecan Puff Pastry Cups Recipe

Bite-sized elegance meets holiday cheer with these cranberry brie and pecan puff pastry cups that sparkle on any festive table.

Golden, flaky pastry cradles a creamy brie center bursting with tangy cranberry goodness.

Toasted pecans add a delightful crunch that elevates each morsel into a gourmet experience.

Guests will swoon over these sophisticated mini appetizers that look like they took hours to create.

The combination of rich cheese, sharp berries, and nutty crunch delivers a flavor profile that dances across your palate.

Effortless to assemble yet impressive in presentation, these pastry cups bring restaurant-quality elegance to your gathering.

You’ll love how quickly these decadent bites come together, making them perfect for spontaneous entertaining or planned celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

Cranberry Brie and Pecan Puff Pastry Cups Ingredients

• Puff Pastry: Delicate, buttery foundation that creates a crisp, flaky vessel for the filling, ensuring a luxurious texture and golden appearance.
• Flour: Helps create a smooth surface for rolling and prevents sticking during preparation.
• Egg Wash: Provides a beautiful golden sheen and helps seal the pastry edges.
• Coarse Sugar: Adds a delightful crunch and sparkle to the exterior of the pastry cups.

• Cranberries: Vibrant, tart berries that create a luscious, jewel-toned sauce with bright, tangy characteristics.
• Orange Juice: Enhances the cranberry sauce with subtle citrusy sweetness and depth.
• Orange Zest: Provides intense, aromatic citrus notes that elevate the overall flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting undertones that soften the cranberries' tartness.
• Sugar: Balances the cranberries' natural sharpness and creates a silky sauce texture.

• Brie Cheese: Creamy, rich cheese that melts beautifully and provides a luxurious, smooth contrast to the tart cranberries.
• Pecans: Crunchy, nutty addition that brings earthy warmth and textural complexity to the pastry cups.

Tools for Puff Pastry Cup Assembly

• Muffin Pan: 12-cup standard pan, greased with nonstick spray for perfect pastry cups.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling pastry dough into a thin, even rectangle.
• Sharp Knife: Used to cut precise 4-inch pastry squares.
• Pastry Brush: Helps apply egg wash evenly on pastry edges.
• Medium Saucepan: For cooking cranberry sauce over medium heat.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements for ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for rolling and cutting pastry.
• Zester or Grater: To create fine orange zest for flavor.

How to Prepare Cranberry Brie Pecan Puff Cups

• Pastry Preparation

Grab your chilled puff pastry and roll it out on a clean surface. Create a smooth, even layer that’s perfect for crafting delightful little cups of deliciousness.

• Cranberry Magic

Simmer fresh cranberries with a splash of orange juice and a sprinkle of sugar until they transform into a vibrant, glossy sauce that bursts with tangy sweetness.

• Cup Creation

Gently press pastry squares into a muffin tin, forming delicate little nests that will cradle your cheesy, fruity filling. Brush the edges with a golden egg wash for extra shine.

• Cheese and Fruit Fusion

Nestle creamy brie chunks into each pastry cup, then spoon the ruby-red cranberry sauce on top. These little bites will look like tiny jewel-filled treasures.

• Nutty Finishing Touch

When the pastries are halfway through baking, sprinkle crunchy pecans on top. They’ll add a warm, toasty crunch that complements the creamy cheese and tart cranberries.

• Golden Perfection

Bake until the pastry turns a gorgeous golden brown, creating crispy, flaky cups that are both elegant and irresistibly delicious.

Tips to Adjust Flavor in Puff Pastry Cups

• Swap brie for camembert or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
• Prepare cranberry sauce and pastry dough up to 3 days in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator for stress-free entertaining.
• Drizzle honey, sprinkle chopped rosemary, or add a dash of cinnamon to elevate the flavor complexity.
• Keep ingredients and dough cold during preparation to ensure flaky, crisp puff pastry cups that rise beautifully.
• Top with fresh thyme, chopped chives, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation that impresses guests.

Serve These Pastry Cups for Events or Snacks

• Serve as Elegant Appetizer: Arrange these delicate pastry cups on a sleek white platter for a sophisticated party starter that wows guests with minimal effort.
• Pair with Festive Drinks: Complement the rich brie and tangy cranberry flavors with sparkling prosecco, crisp white wine, or a seasonal mulled cider for a delightful taste experience.
• Create Brunch Centerpiece: Transform these pastry cups into a show-stopping brunch item by placing them alongside fresh fruit, light salad greens, and a mimosa for a complete morning spread.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh thyme or rosemary on top to add a fragrant herbal note that elevates the visual appeal and provides a subtle aromatic touch.

Keep Puff Pastry Cups Fresh Before Serving

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover pastry cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm cups in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave heating to maintain the pastry's delicate texture.
• Freeze for Later: Prepare unbaked cups and freeze individually on a baking sheet. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Serve Strategically: Best enjoyed fresh and warm. Ideal as appetizers or brunch bites. Bring to room temperature before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

Festive Cranberry Brie And Pecan Puff Pastry Cups Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Cranberry brie and pecan puff pastry cups blend savory and sweet flavors in an elegant appetizer. Crisp pastry shells cradle melted cheese and tangy cranberry sauce, inviting guests to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) puff pastry, homemade or store-bought frozen, thawed
• 6 oz (170 grams) brie cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) cranberries, fresh, rinsed
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) sugar, granulated
• 2 tbsps (30 milliliters) orange juice, fresh
• ½ tsp orange zest
• ½ tsp vanilla extract, pure
• 6 tbsps (90 milliliters) water
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp water or milk (for egg wash)
• sugar, coarse (for sprinkling)
• 1–2 pecan halves per cup (optional)
• flaky sea salt (optional, for garnish)
• thyme, fresh (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prep Pastry: Chill puff pastry dough until firm, ensuring optimal texture and handling.
2. Craft Cranberry Sauce: Simmer cranberries with water, orange juice, and sugar over medium heat until berries burst and mixture thickens; incorporate remaining whole cranberries, orange zest, and vanilla extract, then cool to enhance flavor profile.
3. Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C), generously spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray, and flour a work surface for dough manipulation.
4. Shape Pastry: Roll dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle, slice into 12 precise 4-inch squares, and meticulously brush each square with egg wash, ensuring complete edge coverage.
5. Assemble Cups: Gently press pastry squares into muffin cups, creating elegant vessels; position brie in the center, top with cranberry sauce, and delicately fold pastry corners toward the center.
6. Embellish and Bake: Sprinkle cups with coarse sugar, bake for 10 minutes, strategically place pecans in the center, then continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until pastry achieves a rich golden-brown hue.

Notes

• Chill Pastry Perfectly: Keep puff pastry refrigerated until cold and firm to ensure flaky, crisp texture and prevent dough from becoming too soft during preparation.
• Master Cranberry Sauce: Cook cranberries slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to develop deep flavors and achieve the ideal thick, jammy consistency.
• Egg Wash Technique: Brush pastry edges thoroughly with egg wash to create a beautiful golden-brown sheen and help corners seal elegantly during baking.
• Pecan Placement Strategy: Add pecans midway through baking to prevent burning and ensure they remain crunchy and perfectly toasted.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg