Cranberry And Brie Tartlets Recipe

Hey friends! I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen, and I’ve stumbled upon the most delightful combination of flavors—crispy, golden puff pastry, creamy Brie, and tangy cranberries with a hint of orange zest. It’s a party in your mouth that your taste buds didn’t know they needed! Grab your baking sheet, let’s get fancy and festive with these Brie and cranberry tartlets.

Creating simple but stylish appetizers is one of my favorite pastimes, and these Cranberry and Brie Tartlets are a perfect instance. They have the following:

Base: flaky puff pastry.

Filling: creamy Brie cheese. Topping: sweet-tart cranberry sauce, enhanced with fresh orange juice.

And yet, the whole thing, served at room temperature, is a blend of delightful textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• Puff Pastry: Light, flaky layers; source of carbohydrates; perfect base for savory or sweet fillings.
• Fresh Cranberries: Tart and vibrant; rich in antioxidants and vitamin C; adds a fresh, sour note.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cranberries; provides energy; balances the tartness of the berries.
• Orange Juice: Adds citrusy brightness and natural sweetness; source of vitamin C.
• Brie Cheese: Creamy, mild; contains fat and protein; adds a rich, savory flavor.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves: Aromatic herb; offers a subtle earthy flavor; optional garnish for elegance.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 wheel of Brie cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to warm up. Get a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.

2. A small saucepan should be placed over medium heat. In it, combine the fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and orange juice. Cook this mixture until the cranberries start to burst and the mixture thickens slightly. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Then, set the saucepan aside to cool.

3. Puff pastry that has been thawed is rolled out and cut into equal pieces. These pieces will eventually become the outer shells of the pastry, so you’ll want them to look nice and hold their shape. Each puff pastry square is pressed gently into a muffin tin then filled with a mixture of eggs, spinach, and feta. Then the muffins are baked until puffed and golden. Ingredients:

4. Put the pastry squares onto the baking sheet that you have prepared, and space them so they are slightly apart.

5. The Brie cheese should be cut into small pieces or cubes, each about the size of the pastry squares. Then, place the cheese pieces on half of the pastry squares.

6. Put a piece of Brie in the center of every pastry square.

7. Spoon a small amount of the cranberry mixture on top of each piece of Brie.

8. Coat the tartlet edges with beaten egg to achieve a golden, baked crust.

9. In the oven that has been preheated, bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and flaky.

10. Take out from the oven and allow to cool a bit. If you want, you can finish it off with some fresh thyme leaves before you take it to the table.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Small saucepan
5. Medium heat source (stovetop)
6. Rolling pin
7. Knife
8. Muffin tin
9. Spoon
10. Pastry brush

FAQ

• Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries?The tart taste of fresh cranberries cannot be matched. Still, sometimes fresh cranberries aren’t available, and then we have to make do with using dried ones instead. If we are using dried cranberries, which presumably have some sort of shelf life, we must bring them back to their former state of fruitiness and plumpness by rehydrating them first in warm water.
• Can these tartlets be made ahead of time?You can indeed make the cranberry mixture a day ahead of time, but the tartlets are best baked just before serving if you want them to be maximally crispy.
• What can I substitute for Brie cheese?If you want creamy textures and rich flavors, look to Cambozola or Camembert. Either can be used as a substitute for the original in this recipe.
• How should I store leftover tartlets?Put them into an airtight container in the refrigerator, and they should last two days. The best way to reheat them is in an oven.
• Is there a substitute for orange juice?A substitute can be used in place of the original, such as lemon juice. This ingredient will yield an end product that exhibits a somewhat more tart flavor.

Cranberry And Brie Tartlets Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For cranberries, either dried cranberries (rehydrated) or raspberry preserves serves as a suitable alternative.
For granular sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup as a substitute.
Consider substituting not only lemon juice but also apple juice for a different flavor instead of orange juice.
Camembert, goat cheese, or other kinds of cheese can serve as the base for this dish in place of Brie.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the Brie Before Cutting To make it easier to cut the Brie into small pieces, place it in the freezer for about 15 minutes before slicing. This will firm up the cheese and help maintain clean cuts.

2. Use a Pastry Cutter For even and well-shaped pastry squares, use a sharp pastry cutter or a pizza wheel. This ensures clean edges which help in puffing up evenly.

3. Pre-cook the Cranberry Sauce Prepare the cranberry mixture ahead of time and let it cool completely. This allows the flavors to meld and prevents the puff pastry from becoming soggy.

4. Prevent Sticking Lightly dust the work surface with flour when rolling out the puff pastry to prevent sticking. Rotate the pastry occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick to the surface.

5. Don’t Overfill Be cautious not to overfill the pastry squares with Brie and cranberry mixture. Overfilling can cause the pastries to burst or not seal properly, leading to filling leakage during baking.