Easy Cranberry Brie and Pecan Puff Pastry Cups Recipe You’ll Love

Cranberry brie and pecan puff pastry cups represent a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate.

Elegant appetizers like these refine ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Delicate pastry shells cradle creamy brie cheese, offering a luxurious canvas for bold cranberry accents.

Toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch that elevates the entire bite-sized creation.

Each miniature cup promises a symphony of textures and tastes that will captivate dinner guests and family alike.

Seasonal ingredients meld together, creating a sophisticated yet approachable treat that feels both comforting and impressive.

Rich, buttery pastry provides the perfect vessel for these irresistible morsels.

Bake Cranberry Brie Cups with Ease

Step 1: Create Cranberry Magic

In a saucepan, combine cranberries, water, orange juice, and sugar. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens. Remove from heat, stir in reserved cranberries, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray. Dust work surface with flour.

Step 3: Shape Pastry Cups

Roll pastry dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 4-inch squares. Brush each square with egg wash. Carefully press squares into muffin pan, creating delicate cups.

Step 4: Layer Delicious Fillings

Place brie in each pastry cup. Top with 2 heaping teaspoons of cranberry sauce. Gently fold pastry corners toward center.

Step 5: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle coarse sugar over each cup. At 10-minute mark while baking, scatter pecans on top.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 20 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven. Let cool slightly. Serve warm as an elegant appetizer or delightful snack.

Tips for Making Brie Puff Pastry Cups

• Chill Your Dough: Keep puff pastry extremely cold before rolling to ensure maximum flakiness and prevent sticking during preparation.
• Perfect Egg Wash Technique: Brush pastry edges carefully with egg wash to create a beautiful golden-brown sheen and help seal the cups.
• Cheese Temperature Matters: Use slightly softened brie for easier placement and more even melting inside the pastry cups.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Avoid overfilling cups and ensure cranberry sauce isn't too wet to maintain a crisp pastry base.
• Toasting Pecans Boosts Flavor: Quickly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nutty, rich taste and aromatic profile.

Store and Reheat Brie Cups Properly

• Refrigeration: Place leftover pastry cups in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crisp texture.
• Reheating: Warm cups in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their flaky crispness. Avoid using the microwave, which can make the pastry soggy and lose its delicate texture. For best results, reheat directly on a baking sheet until heated through and the cheese starts to melt slightly.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pastry cups can be stored for up to 1 month.

What to Pair with Cranberry Brie Cups

• Pair with Sparkling Wine: Match the rich, creamy brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce with a crisp champagne or prosecco that cuts through the pastry's buttery texture and complements the bright cranberry flavors.
• Serve with Herbal Tea: Complement the warm, flaky pastry cups with a light chamomile or Earl Grey tea, which balances the sweetness and provides a soothing contrast to the rich brie.
• Create a Cheese Board Companion: Enhance the appetizer by serving alongside a small cheese board with additional soft cheeses, honey, fresh grapes, and additional toasted pecans to create a more substantial and interactive tasting experience.
• Match with Mulled Cider: Offer a warm mulled apple cider that echoes the autumn flavors of cranberry and pecan, providing a cozy and seasonal beverage that harmonizes with the pastry's warmth and sweetness.

Cranberry Brie Cups Recipe Spins

• Goat Cheese Cranberry Fusion: Swap brie with tangy goat cheese for a sharper flavor profile that complements the sweet-tart cranberry sauce.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Add fresh rosemary or thyme to the cranberry sauce, creating an aromatic and sophisticated pastry cup variation.
• Spiced Autumn Transformation: Mix ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg into the cranberry sauce for a warm, seasonal approach that enhances the overall flavor.
• Caramelized Nut Alternative: Replace standard pecans with candied walnuts or almonds, adding an extra layer of sweetness and crunch to the pastry cups.

Cranberry Brie Cups in a Nutshell

• Burst with Festive Flavor: These puff pastry cups deliver a delightful explosion of sweet-tart cranberry sauce perfectly balanced with creamy, rich brie cheese that screams holiday elegance.
• Effortless Gourmet Creation: Transforming simple ingredients into stunning appetizers becomes a breeze with this recipe, making even novice cooks feel like professional chefs with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy the incredible contrast between flaky, buttery pastry, smooth melted brie, and crunchy toasted pecans that create a mouthwatering sensory experience in every single bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up these impressive appetizers in under 45 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute gatherings, dinner parties, or spontaneous holiday celebrations where you want maximum impact with minimal effort.

What Goes in Cranberry Brie Cups

• Rough Puff Pastry Dough or Store-Bought Puff Pastry: Delicate, flaky base that creates a crisp and golden shell for the appetizer. Best when chilled and handled minimally to maintain its light texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps in rolling and preventing pastry from sticking during preparation. Choose unbleached flour for better flavor.

• Brie Cheese: Creamy, soft cheese that melts beautifully and provides rich flavor. Select a young, mild brie for smooth melting.
• Fresh Cranberries: Tart fruit that creates a vibrant sauce. Look for plump, firm berries with deep red color.
• Orange Juice: Adds brightness and depth to cranberry sauce. Fresh-squeezed provides the best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cranberry sauce and balances tartness. White sugar works best for clear, clean sweetness.

• Orange Zest: Provides bright, citrusy aroma to complement cranberry sauce. Use fresh zest for most intense flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle warmth and depth to cranberry sauce. Pure vanilla gives the best taste.
• Egg: Creates golden, shiny pastry surface when used as wash. Fresh eggs work best.
• Coarse Sugar: Adds crunchy texture and sparkle to pastry top. Helps create beautiful presentation.
• Pecans: Provides nutty crunch and additional texture. Choose fresh, whole pecans for best flavor.
• Nonstick Spray: Ensures pastry cups release easily from muffin pan. Use neutral cooking spray.

Cranberry Brie And Pecan Puff Pastry Cups Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Cranberry Brie and Pecan Puff Pastry Cups blend festive flavors in elegant bite-sized delights. Buttery pastry cradles creamy brie, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans, creating a perfect holiday appetizer you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb homemade or store-bought frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
• 6 ounces (170 grams) brie cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) fresh cranberries, rinsed

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh orange juice
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) water
• Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Finishing and Optional Ingredients:

• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water or milk (for egg wash)
• Optional: 1-2 pecan halves per cup
• Optional for garnish: flaky sea salt
• Optional for garnish: fresh thyme

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Instructions

1. Refrigerate the puff pastry dough until it’s thoroughly chilled and firm, whether homemade or store-bought.
2. Craft the cranberry sauce by combining most of the cranberries with water, orange juice, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring intermittently until the berries burst and the mixture thickens.
3. Remove the cranberry mixture from heat and fold in the reserved whole cranberries, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Allow the sauce to cool and develop its flavors.
4. Heat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and generously coat a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll the pastry dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle, then slice into 12 precise 4-inch squares.
6. Brush each pastry square thoroughly with egg wash, ensuring complete edge coverage.
7. Delicately press the pastry squares into the muffin cups, creating elegant little vessels.
8. Position a piece of brie in the center of each pastry cup.
9. Spoon approximately 2 heaping teaspoons of cranberry sauce over the brie.
10. Gently fold the pastry corners toward the center, partially covering the filling.
11. Sprinkle each cup with coarse sugar for a sparkling finish.
12. Bake for 10 minutes, then strategically place pecans in the center of each cup.
13. Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the pastry achieves a rich golden-brown color.

Notes

• Pastry Perfection: Ensure puff pastry is thoroughly thawed and kept chilled for the best flaky, crisp texture that melts in your mouth.
• Cranberry Sauce Magic: Homemade sauce bursts with vibrant flavor, combining fresh and cooked cranberries for a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
• Temperature Matters: Preheat oven to exactly 400°F to achieve golden-brown, perfectly crisp pastry cups that look stunning and taste incredible.
• Egg Wash Technique: Brush pastry edges carefully to create a beautiful golden sheen and help seal the delicate pastry cups.
• Cheese and Fruit Harmony: Layer creamy brie with tangy cranberry sauce for a luxurious flavor combination that elevates this simple appetizer.
• Topping Tip: Sprinkle coarse sugar and toasted pecans just before final baking to add crunch and a delightful caramelized finish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 248 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg