Description

Festive, flavorful, and bite-sized these Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Bites bring together sweet, spicy, and creamy in golden puff pastry cups. Perfect for parties or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
1 jalapeño, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
2 tbsp green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp lemon juice
1 egg (for egg wash)
Pinch of salt
Optional toppings: chopped pecans or walnuts, fresh thyme leaves, extra honey for drizzling

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Instructions

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, diced jalapeño, honey, lemon juice, and salt. Cook for 7–10 minutes until thickened. Let cool slightly.
Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut into 12 squares and press into a mini muffin tin. Poke bottoms with a fork.
In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese and green onions. Spoon about 1 teaspoon into each pastry cup.
Top with a spoonful of the cranberry-jalapeño mixture.
Brush edges with egg wash and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, until golden.
Cool for 5 minutes. Add optional toppings and a drizzle of honey if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t overfill the cups less is more for perfect bites. Keep puff pastry chilled before using for best results. Adjust jalapeño based on your spice tolerance. Make the cranberry filling ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze unbaked bites for up to 2 months and bake straight from frozen.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American