Can I make these completely ahead of time?

While they're best fresh from the oven, you can par-bake the pastry shells earlier in the day, then add the fillings and complete the final bake just before serving. Alternatively, freeze the unbaked cut pastry rounds and bake from frozen when needed.

What's the best way to cut brie for these bites?

Chill the brie well in the refrigerator first to make it firmer and easier to cut. Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts if it gets sticky. Each piece should be about ½-inch in size - not too big or it won't melt properly.

Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?

While phyllo would create a different texture, it could work. You'd need to layer several sheets with butter between them to get enough structure. Puff pastry really is ideal for this recipe, though, as it creates that perfect buttery, sturdy base.

My puff pastry didn't rise properly - what went wrong?

A few culprits could be at play: the pastry wasn't cold enough before baking, the oven temperature wasn't hot enough, or perhaps you didn't dock the centers properly. Remember that puff pastry needs cold temperature and high heat to create those beautiful layers.

Brie and Jam Puff Pastry Bites Recipe

Name: Brie and Jam Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 43 min
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: ½ batch rough puff pastry or classic puff pastry (or store-bought); All-purpose flour (for work surface); 1 cup jam-of-choice (cranberry, plum, or cherry recommended); 4 ounces brie cheese; 4-6 sprigs of rosemary; Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 teaspoon of water or cream)

Description

These Brie and Jam Puff Pastry Bites are irresistibly flaky, buttery, and filled with creamy brie cheese and sweetly tangy jam. Perfect for any gathering or holiday party, these bite-sized appetizers are a delightful balance of savory and sweet. Paired with a hint of fresh rosemary, they bring elegance and flavor to your table effortlessly. Quick to assemble using store-bought pastry or elevate them with homemade puff pastry for an extra special touch.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Puff Pastry

1/2 batch rough puff pastry or classic puff pastry (or store-bought)
All-purpose flour (for work surface)

Topping

1 cup jam-of-choice (cranberry, plum, or cherry recommended)
4 ounces brie cheese
4–6 sprigs of rosemary

Additional Needs

Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 teaspoon of water or cream)

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Instructions

Prepare the Puff Pastry
If using homemade puff pastry, prepare your dough and use only half the batch, freezing the remainder for later use. Alternatively, defrost store-bought puff pastry as per package instructions.
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400ºF and position the oven rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll Out the Pastry
Roll the puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thick (approximately a 10×14-inch rectangle). If using store-bought pastry, lay it out as instructed and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
Cut the Pastry Circles
Use a 2-3/4-inch cookie cutter to stamp out at least 16 circles from the dough. Avoid re-rolling scraps to maintain quality; instead, space your cuts efficiently and reserve any leftovers for other uses.
Dock the Pastry
Using a smaller, 2-inch cutter, make a shallow indentation in the center of each pastry circle without cutting through. Then, dock the center indent with a fork to control puffing during baking.
Egg Wash & Chill
Place the pastry circles on the prepared baking sheet, brush each one with a thin layer of egg wash, and freeze or refrigerate them while preparing the fillings.
Prepare the Cheese and Jam
Cut the brie into small ½-inch cubes, leaving the rind on or removing it per preference. Refrigerate until needed. Pipe the jam into a pastry or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off for easy filling.
Par-Bake the Pastry
Remove the prepared pastry rounds from the freezer and bake for 12 minutes, or until they puff but are not yet golden.
Fill the Pastries
Quickly press down the center of each par-baked circle using a small spoon or cutter. Pipe around 2 teaspoons of jam into the center indentation, followed by a piece of brie.
Final Baking
Return the filled pastries to the oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until golden and the brie is slightly melty.
Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and transfer to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with roughly chopped fresh rosemary before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Homemade puff pastry offers a superior texture and flavor but is optional. Store-bought works perfectly for convenience. Adjust quantities and baking times based on the brand or cutter size.
For smaller bites, use a smaller cutter, but monitor closely to ensure proper baking.
Use your favorite jam for this recipe, but cranberry, plum, or cherry complement brie beautifully.
These bites are best the same day but can be stored in the fridge or freezer and reheated in a toaster oven.
Using a piping bag for the jam ensures quick handling during the assembly process, keeping pastries from cooling too much during the filling stage.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece
Calories: 100kcal
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 80mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg