Cranberry Christmas Star (Print View)

Festive star-shaped appetizer with cranberries, creamy cheeses, and flaky pastry, perfect for holiday gatherings.

# Components:

→ Cheese Filling

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 2 oz crumbled feta cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cranberry Mixture

06 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
09 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Pastry

11 - 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (about 17.6 oz total)
12 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional)
15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs, for decoration

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
03 - Combine cream cheese, mozzarella, feta, chives, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one puff pastry sheet into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pastry circle, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
06 - Distribute the cooled cranberry mixture over the cheese layer evenly.
07 - Place the second puff pastry sheet on top. Trim it to match the bottom circle precisely.
08 - Place a small round bowl, approximately 3 inches in diameter, at the center. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry from the bowl’s edge outward into five equal rays, forming a star shape.
09 - Gently twist each ray to expose the layered filling. Remove the center bowl.
10 - Brush the entire pastry surface with the beaten egg to ensure a golden finish.
11 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
12 - Allow to cool slightly. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, chopped pistachios, and fresh rosemary if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but it actually comes together in under an hour and feels effortless once you understand the technique
  • The contrast between sweet-tart cranberries, creamy cheese, and buttery puff pastry is genuinely addictive and keeps people coming back for more
  • It's a vegetarian showstopper that impresses meat-eating guests just as much, making it perfect for mixed holiday gatherings
02 -
  • The cranberry mixture absolutely must be completely cooled before assembly, otherwise the warmth will soften the puff pastry too early and your layers will blur together instead of staying distinct
  • Don't skip the egg wash—it's the difference between something that looks homemade and something that looks like it came from a bakery, and it takes thirty seconds to apply
03 -
  • Use a bench scraper or sturdy spatula to move your cheese-filled pastry circle onto the baking sheet if you're nervous about it tearing—it's easier than you think and makes the whole process feel more controlled
  • If your pastry edges start browning too quickly before the inside is cooked through, loosely tent it with foil for the last few minutes—the pastry will continue cooking but won't char
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