2 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped for garnish
1 tablespoon flour, for dusting the work surface
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin tin thoroughly with butter or nonstick cooking spray to ensure the pastry bites release easily after baking. This step is crucial for maintaining the beautiful shape of the appetizers.
Lightly flour your clean kitchen counter and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet. Use a knife or a pizza cutter to divide the pastry into 24 equal squares. Gently press each square into the prepared mini muffin cups, allowing the corners to point upward for a decorative look.
Cut the chilled brie into small cubes, approximately 1 inch in size. It is helpful to keep the rind on as it is edible and helps the cheese hold its shape slightly during the melting process. Place one cube of cheese into the center of each pastry lined cup.
Top each piece of brie with a generous teaspoon of whole berry cranberry sauce. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the sauce for added texture. The combination of the red sauce and the golden pastry will immediately start to look like a Christmas treat.
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You are looking for the puff pastry to turn a light golden brown and the cheese to be melted and bubbly. Once finished, remove the tin from the oven and let the bites cool for a few minutes before removing them.
While the bites are still warm, sprinkle a tiny bit of fresh chopped rosemary over the top. This adds a beautiful pop of green and a wonderful aroma that complements the cranberry. Transfer them to a serving platter and serve while they are still warm and gooey.
