Cranberry Christmas Star (Printable Version)

A star-shaped holiday appetizer with tangy cranberries and creamy cheese on flaky puff pastry, perfect for festive occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Filling

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 7 to 10 minutes. Cool completely.
03 - In a bowl, blend cream cheese, mozzarella, feta, chives, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Evenly spread the cheese filling over the pastry circle, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around the edge.
06 - Distribute the cooled cranberry mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Place the second puff pastry sheet on top and trim to match the bottom circle.
08 - Place a 3-inch (7 cm) diameter bowl at the center. Cut the pastry from the bowl edge outward into five equally spaced rays, forming a star shape.
09 - Carefully twist each ray to reveal the layers and filling. Remove the bowl.
10 - Brush the surface of the pastry with beaten egg.
11 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
12 - Allow to cool slightly, then garnish with pomegranate seeds, chopped pistachios, and rosemary if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on the table, like you spent hours in the kitchen when it really only takes fifty minutes from start to finish
  • The sweet-tart cranberries balance perfectly with the creamy triple-cheese filling, creating this incredible flavor that keeps people reaching for just one more piece
  • It's vegetarian, make-ahead friendly, and works equally well warm or at room temperature, which takes so much pressure off during holiday hosting
02 -
  • The pastry must be twisted immediately after cutting, while it's still pliable. Wait too long and it gets stubborn and won't twist without tearing.
  • That cooled cranberry mixture is non-negotiable, I learned this the hard way when warm filling started oozing out during assembly. Cool it completely or your beautiful presentation will literally fall apart.
  • Room temperature cream cheese is absolutely essential. Cold cream cheese will fight you and create lumps that mess up your smooth filling, and that changes the entire texture and feel of the finished dish.
03 -
  • Make the cranberry mixture the day before if you want to reduce stress on party day. It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator and actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to get to know each other.
  • If your cranberry mixture seems too thick, thin it with a splash more orange juice. If it seems too loose, cook it another minute or two. You're looking for something that's syrupy and coats the back of a spoon.
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