Love and Olive Oil

Baked Brie Puffs with Fruit Preserves and Pistachios

Baked Brie Puffs with Fruit Preserves and Pistachios

Let the chaos begin… the annual scramble to fill the bellies of visiting friends and family while keeping them occupied and smiling with just the right amount of buzz (enough to be jovial but not belligerent, that’s the key). It’s precisely times like these that quick, last-minute appetizers, like these baked brie puffs, will save your behind again and again.

Not that we are entertaining scores of guests this year; in reality it’ll be just us for a very low-key Christmas. But sometimes keeping Taylor happy and fed is like dealing with a dozen hungry people, nay, children. So I get it, I really do. I’ve learned that a good beer and a plate full of morsels in front of him will usually keep him content. Even better if Home Alone is on, which he could watch over and over again (that’s basic Marriage 101 for you right there).

Baked Brie Puffs with Fruit Preserves and Pistachios

This recipe was inspired by Sandy’s Mango Cherry Apple Brie, a dish I’ve been fortunate enough to savor twice now in Sandy’s delightful company. In her version, she tops a sizable wheel of brie with two kinds of fruit preserves and pistachios, and bakes it until it oozes. Needless to say, it’s beyond amazing.

This is a bite-sized version of that concept, with the ‘cracker’ built right in. It’s melty and sweet, crunchy and buttery. And most of all, easy. So incredibly easy.

Baked Brie Puffs with Fruit Preserves and Pistachios

The beauty of these puffs is how easy they are to prepare. Literally 10 minutes of prep to roll and cut the pastry, and another 15 minutes until they’re ready to eat. You can use any flavor of jam you like; I used a mix of apricot and fig for this batch, but I think peach, raspberry, or even orange marmalade would be lovely too.

Mini Brie Puff Pastry Bites with Fruit Preserves and Pistachios

The holidays do not have to be stressful. We’re all about the low-key in our household, with the belief that Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be a huge to-do. In fact, we’re not even sure what we’re going to cook yet. How’s that for being casual about it?

Tell me, what’s on your holiday menu this year? I need ideas, because there’s a difference between being low-key and being stupid, like waiting until Tuesday afternoon to go to the store. If it’s anything like it was the week before Thanksgiving, I’ll do all I can to avoid that scene. Crowds mess with my holiday zen.

Baked Brie Puffs with Fruit Preserves and Pistachios

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 2 ounces brie cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3 tabelspoons fruit preserves (such as apricot, fig, or marmalade)
  • 3 tablespoons shelled pistachios, chopped

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. You’ll also need a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry into a 12-by-12-inch square (slightly larger than the initial size of the sheet). Cut into 25 squares. Gently ease each square into a mini muffin cup.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes or until puffed. Press the center of each square down with the round end of a wooden spoon. Bake for 3-5 minutes more or until corners are just starting to brown.
  4. Place a piece of cheese into each cup. Top with 1/4 teaspoon of fruit preserves and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios.
  5. Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly and pastry is light golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from muffin tin. Serve warm.
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33 Comments

  1. Rating: 5

    This sounds so fun and yummy – I plan to make for an office party here at my house. Question: should I toast the pistachios before adding?

  2. This does look delicious! Can some of it be made ahead, like maybe all the baking steps of the pastry BEFORE you add the cheese and jam?

    Thanks!

  3. Oh.. Thank you so much for this recipe.. Wanted to try it ever since you posted it and yesterday I was hosting a House Warming party and this was the winner appetizer by far! :) Thanks again!

  4. Absolutely gorgeous!  My husband needed to take finger food to bowls match for tea and I wanted something quick and easy…….. Just that! And maybe a few didn’t make it as I had to try before they went.  Thank you xx

  5. I love me some brie – I can’t wait to make this when I have the girls over for a wine night!

  6. Definitely a great treat to make over the holidays! Or heck even now afterwards.

  7. Can’t resist brie like this, yum what a dream!

  8. Quick and delicious! I will add it to my list of must try dinner party finger food!!! Thank you for sharing

  9. You had me at brie, seriously. I love  melty, baked cheese, and this looks like the best appetizer!

  10. Yummy! My throat gets itchy with pistachios though. Maybe I’ll try it with almonds instead. What do you think?

  11. Looks fantastic, Lindsay! Perfect for a quick appetizer to serve this week!

  12. Oh, these look great! Simple, easy, and delicious is the name of the game at this time of year, and these little puffs certainly fit the bill. I’m not going to lie, Home Alone is one of my favorite Christmas movies too! I haven’t watched it yet this year – must try to squeeze that in!

  13. Linds, we don’t really care for Brie… I mean we can’t find any where we live! Yea that’s it. ;-) Anyhow, what can be subbed? Thx!

  14. Yes, Marriage 101…an important thing to master in life! Cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. (It’s a good thing I love and have a deep appreciation for cinema and stellar directors like Sergio Leone.) And, at Christmastime? We must watch all our favorite Christmas films and specials on DVD (especially Home Alone!) and have plenty of baked treats, both savory and sweet, to nosh on. LOVE this recipe, Lindsay! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes to you and yours for a holiday season that is both merry and bright! xo

  15. What a great appetizer!

  16. These are beautiful!

  17. love your recipes and site! Thank you for all you do . pictures are amazing!Could I ask which stand mixer you recommend/use. I am on the search but there are sooooo many!

  18. I love brie with anything…  Great idea!

  19. I am in need of some good appie recipes as that is what the hubs wants for Christmas dinner. These look perfect.  You can never go wrong with brie..and puff pastry…especially when topped with pistachios. Pinned!

  20. These look amazing. I have been craving brie for a while. I am in Florida with my family and we couldn’t find any brie at three grocery stores. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I will have to just live through yours.

  21. These look adorable. And love the little pistachios on top – such a gorgeous touch.
    Hope that you have a great Christmas! x

  22. I cannot think of anything worse than going to the store on Tuesday…but I know I’ll probably be there for something, sigh! Great appetizers :)

  23. Yummy! I think the math is a little off though… at 1/4 tbsp each, you’d need 6 tbsps of jam (not 3 tbsps, as stated), and should cut the dough into 24 squares. I love all things puff pastry, so I’ll give this a try!

    • 1/4 teaspoon each, not tablespoon. :) And I found it easier to cut the dough into an even 5×5 grid, since my piece of puff pastry was square. But if you prefer a 4×6 grid and can do that math, even better!

    • Oh duh! That’s what I get for not reading carefully ;) Thanks for taking the time to explain, Lindsay!

  24. These are gorgeous! Love quick and delicious bites like this. Yum!

  25. These are perfect for the holidays!

  26. Love this idea! Puff pastry is perfect for an adorable treat!

  27. YUM! These look delicious! YUM!  I will have fun pairing a wine that will complement!

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