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Short, Catchy Intro

So you want something crunchy, gooey, sweet and a little savory without staging a kitchen takeover. Good news. These Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Twists deliver all that drama in bite sized form and zero heroic effort. Think of them as fancy snack party crashers that make you look like you know what you are doing. Spoiler alert they are shockingly easy.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Because it is basically foolproof pastry magic. Puff pastry does most of the heavy lifting so you get puffy, flaky layers every time. The combo of tart cranberry and melty brie hits that perfect sweet and savory sweet spot. Want guests to think you are a culinary genius without breaking a sweat What better plan.

Plus you can scale this up or down, make them ahead, and still take credit. Major win for lazy chefs and show offs alike. FYI these also freeze well if you want to be even more smug later.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 package frozen puff pastry thawed containing 2 sheets
½ cup cranberry sauce
6 oz brie cheese rind removed cut into small cubes
1 tbsp honey
1 large egg
2 tsp fresh rosemary minced
3 tsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp water or milk for egg wash
A small amount of all purpose flour for dusting

Want a different main dish to pair these with Try this cranberry brie stuffed chicken for dinner and serve the twists as a cheeky appetizer. IMO it makes the whole meal feel fancy for very little work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Puff Pastry and Oven
Thaw frozen puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until pliable but still cold. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare Fillings
Slice brie cheese into small even pieces. Ensure cranberry sauce is spreadable but not runny. In a small bowl whisk the large egg with 1 tablespoon water or milk for the egg wash. Finely chop fresh rosemary.
Assemble First Layer
Lightly flour a clean work surface. Gently unfold one sheet of chilled puff pastry. Evenly spread half of the cranberry sauce over the entire surface leaving a ½ inch border. Arrange half of the sliced brie cheese evenly over the cranberry sauce.
Add Flavor Enhancers
Drizzle half of the honey over the brie and cranberry layers. Sprinkle half of the minced fresh rosemary and half of the granulated sugar evenly over the filling.
Cover and Seal
Gently unfold the second sheet of puff pastry and carefully lay it directly on top aligning the edges. Press down along all four edges with your fingertips to seal. Lightly roll over the entire surface with a rolling pin to adhere layers and remove air pockets without pressing too hard.
Cut and Twist
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter cut the pastry sandwich lengthwise into ¾ inch to 1 inch wide strips. Carefully pick up each strip hold one end firmly and gently twist 3-4 times to create a spiral effect.
Arrange and Egg Wash
Place twisted strips onto prepared baking sheets leaving 1 to 1.5 inches of space between each. Gently and evenly brush the tops and visible sides of each twist with the prepared egg wash.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-25 minutes or until beautifully puffed deeply golden brown and flaky. Rotate baking sheets halfway through if needed for even browning. Allow to cool on sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Serve Warm
Serve Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Twists warm for the best experience. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary or a light dusting of powdered sugar if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-8 minutes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven rookie mistake. Puff pastry hates slow warmth. It needs sudden heat to puff properly.
Overfilling the pastry so it explodes like a tiny edible geyser. Less is more here.
Using brie straight from the fridge in huge hunks. Cold cheese melts unevenly and can tear the pastry. Cut it small and spread it out.
Letting the pastry get warm on the counter and then trying to roll it. If it gets sticky pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
Skipping the egg wash and hoping for golden color via osmosis. The egg wash gives that gorgeous shine and color so do it.

Alternatives & Substitutions

No brie Try camembert or a mild goat cheese for a tangy alternative. Creamier cheeses melt differently so adjust pieces smaller if needed.
No cranberry sauce Use raspberry jam or fig preserves for a different but equally delicious result. Sweet and tart preserves both work.
Fresh rosemary not available Use a pinch of dried rosemary or swap for thyme. Use less dried herb since it has a stronger flavor.
Want vegan Use dairy free cheese and a plant based puff pastry. Swap the egg wash for a mix of plant milk and a little maple syrup for color.
Too sweet Reduce the honey or skip the sugar sprinkle if you prefer savory leaning bites.

My two cents If you use a different jam experiment with the sugar sprinkle first on a single twist so you do not commit the whole tray to an experiment gone wrong. Tiny tests save lives and snacks.

FAQ

Q Why does my pastry not puff up
A Did you preheat the oven and keep the pastry cold until bake time If not that is your answer. Also make sure the layers are sealed so the steam can lift the pastry rather than escape.

Q Can I make these ahead of time
A Yes you can assemble the twists then freeze them raw on a sheet tray until solid. Transfer to a bag and bake from frozen with a couple extra minutes of bake time. Easy party prep hack.

Q Can I use store bought cranberry sauce or homemade
A Both work. Store bought is great for speed. Homemade gives you control over texture and flavor. Do what makes you happy.

Q How can I make them less sweet
A Cut back on the honey and the sugar sprinkle. Swap cranberry for something tarter or use less cranberry sauce. Simple.

Q Can I use puff pastry sheets that are not frozen
A If you find fresh puff pastry that works fine. The key is to keep the dough cold until it hits the hot oven so it puffs up properly.

Q Do I have to remove the brie rind
A Technically you do not have to but removing the rind helps the cheese melt and blend with the cranberry better. I usually take it off because texture matters to me.

Q Any tips for cleanup
A Keep a damp towel nearby to wipe off sticky hands and surfaces quickly. Parchment paper makes baking sheet cleanup almost non existent.

Final Thoughts

These twists are proof that you can make something that looks like it took hours in under an hour with very little drama. They make an awesome appetizer snack or a quick party nibble. Trust yourself and the puff pastry. You got this.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You have earned it.

Conclusion

For more ideas and variations check out this Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Twists – Farmgirl Gourmet and for a different presentation take a peek at these Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry – If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen pages.