Caramelized Pear & Brie Snowflake Puffs Recipe
Delight in the buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry paired with sweet caramelized pears and creamy brie in these elegant Caramelized Pear & Brie Snowflake Puffs. Finished with a warm honey drizzle and optional fresh thyme or pistachios, these puff pastries make a perfect appetizer or festive treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 8 snowflake puffs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Snowflake Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
- 100g brie, rind removed and cubed
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Finish
- 2 tbsp honey (warm for drizzling)
- Optional: fresh thyme leaves or crushed pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking your puff pastry puffs.
- Caramelize the pears: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and add the thinly sliced pears along with the brown sugar. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the pears are soft, golden, and caramelized, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet slightly on a clean surface. Using a snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes from the pastry.
- Assemble the puffs: Place half of the snowflake cutouts on the prepared baking sheet to serve as the bases. On each base, add a cube of brie and 1–2 slices of the caramelized pear. Top each with another snowflake cutout and gently press the edges to seal the puffs.
- Apply egg wash and bake: Brush the tops of the assembled puffs with beaten egg to achieve a glossy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and crisp.
- Finish and serve: Allow the puffs to cool slightly once baked. Drizzle warm honey over the tops and garnish with optional fresh thyme leaves or crushed pistachios for an added touch of flavor and decoration before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to thaw the puff pastry completely before rolling to avoid tearing.
- Caramelizing the pears adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for a quicker version using fresh pear slices.
- Brie rind is removed for smoother texture and a cleaner presentation.
- Use a sharp cookie cutter for clean snowflake shapes to avoid puff pastry shrinkage.
- Warm the honey slightly to make it easier to drizzle evenly over the baked puffs.
Keywords: caramelized pear, brie, puff pastry, snowflake puffs, appetizer, holiday recipe, honey drizzle
