The Art of Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Perfection

Pastry Preparation

Learning to properly thaw, handle, and score puff pastry creates the foundation for a beautifully risen, golden tart with defined edges.

Layering Technique

Mastering the art of building flavor layers from cream cheese base to brie to cranberries ensures every bite delivers balanced taste and texture.

Candied Nut Creation

Understanding how to quickly candy nuts with butter and sugar adds a professional touch and irresistible crunch to your appetizer.

Baking Precision

Achieving perfectly puffed pastry with melted, bubbling cheese requires proper oven temperature and careful timing for golden results.

Final Flourishes

The technique of finishing with fresh herbs, honey drizzle, and flaky salt transforms a simple tart into an elegant, restaurant-quality presentation.

Mastering Your Holiday Puff Pastry Perfection

Pastry Success: Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use and work quickly to prevent the butter from melting before baking, which ensures maximum rise and flakiness.

Cheese Selection: Remove brie rind for smoother melting, or leave it on if you prefer a more rustic presentation with slightly firmer cheese texture.

Cranberry Options: Fresh cranberry sauce works beautifully, but quality canned whole berry cranberry sauce saves time and provides consistent sweetness.

Make-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the tart completely up to 4 hours ahead, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and bake just before serving for fresh-from-the-oven appeal.

Flavor Variations: Swap pecans for walnuts or pistachios, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to cranberries, or incorporate crumbled goat cheese alongside the brie.

Common Mistakes: Avoid overloading with toppings which can make the pastry soggy, and don't skip the egg wash which creates that beautiful golden finish.

Storage Guidance: Leftover tart can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to re-crisp the pastry.

Elegant Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tart with Candied Pecans Fresh Thyme and Honey Drizzle

Name: Elegant Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tart with Candied Pecans Fresh Thyme and Honey Drizzle
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: For the Pastry Base:; 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions; 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash; For the Cheese Layer:; 8 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and cut into thin slices; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature; For the Cranberry Topping:; 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, homemade or high-quality canned; 2 tablespoons orange zest; 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice; For the Candied Pecans:; 1/2 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted; Pinch of sea salt; For the Finishing:; 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves; 2 tablespoons honey for drizzling; Flaky sea salt for sprinkling; Freshly cracked black pepper; For Special Equipment:; Parchment paper; Rimmed baking sheet; Pastry brush

The ultimate cranberry brie puff pastry tart featuring creamy brie cheese, tangy cranberry sauce, and candied pecans. This sophisticated appetizer combines the buttery flakiness of golden puff pastry with the luxurious creaminess of melted brie, creating an unforgettable holiday experience that elevates the classic cheese and fruit pairing to extraordinary heights perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, or any time you crave the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and elegant simplicity.

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cook Time

25 Minutes

Total Time

40 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

Custard Cream

For the Pastry Base:

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash

For the Cheese Layer:

8 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and cut into thin slices

4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

For the Cranberry Topping:

1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, homemade or high-quality canned

2 tablespoons orange zest

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

For the Candied Pecans:

1/2 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Pinch of sea salt

For the Finishing:

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

2 tablespoons honey for drizzling

Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Freshly cracked black pepper

For Special Equipment:

Parchment paper

Rimmed baking sheet

Pastry brush

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto the prepared baking sheet and gently roll it to smooth any creases, creating a rectangle approximately 10x12 inches.

Using a sharp knife, score a 1-inch border around all edges of the pastry without cutting through completely, creating a frame that will puff up during baking.

Brush the entire pastry surface with egg wash, paying special attention to the scored border for maximum golden color.

Spread the softened cream cheese evenly within the scored border, creating a smooth base layer.

Arrange the sliced brie cheese over the cream cheese layer, distributing pieces evenly and leaving small gaps for the cranberry mixture.

In a small bowl, combine cranberry sauce, orange zest, and orange juice, stirring until well mixed.

Spoon the cranberry mixture over and around the brie slices, spreading gently to fill gaps without completely covering all the cheese.

In another small bowl, toss chopped pecans with melted butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.

Scatter the candied pecan mixture across the top of the tart, distributing evenly.

Bake for 22-25 minutes until the pastry edges are deeply golden brown and puffed, and the cheese is bubbling and melted throughout.

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the hot tart.

Drizzle honey in a decorative pattern across the entire tart while still warm.

Finish with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.

Allow to cool for 5-7 minutes before slicing into 8 rectangular pieces and serving warm.

Elegant Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tart with Candied Pecans Fresh Thyme and Honey Drizzle

JUE

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

The Art of Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Perfection

Elegant Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tart with Candied Pecans Fresh Thyme and Honey Drizzle

Ingredients

Instructions