A festive and flavorful treat, these cheese-filled puff pastry stars topped with red hot pepper jelly are the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and crispy. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or a casual get-together, these eye-catching bites are guaranteed crowd-pleasers!
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- ¼ cup red hot pepper jelly (or more as needed)
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Prepare the Puff Pastry:
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out star shapes. Don’t have one? Round or square shapes work just as well. - Make the Cheese Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the Appetizers:
Place the pastry stars on the prepared baking sheet.
Add a small dollop of cheese mixture to the center of each star, spreading it slightly while leaving a border. - Egg Wash for a Golden Finish:
Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush it lightly over the exposed edges of the pastry. - Bake:
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is bubbling. - Add the Red Hot Pepper Jelly:
Allow the pastries to cool slightly.
Top each with a small spoonful of red hot pepper jelly. - Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Variations
- Try Different Cheese Combinations:
Swap the cheddar and Parmesan for other flavorful cheeses like Gruyère, pepper jack, or goat cheese. Each brings a unique taste and texture to the filling Gruyère adds a nutty richness, while pepper jack introduces an extra kick of heat. - Use a Different Jam or Jelly:
Not a fan of red hot pepper jelly? No problem. Try using fig jam, cranberry chutney, apricot preserves, or even balsamic onion jam. Each one offers a new flavor profile some sweet, some tangy, and all delicious. - Shape It Your Way:
If you don’t have a star-shaped cutter, use circles, hearts, or even squares for a different look. You can also make mini tartlets in a mini muffin tin for a more contained, poppable bite that’s easy to serve.
Cooking Notes
- Don’t Overfill the Pastry:
Adding too much cheese filling can cause the pastries to puff unevenly or leak during baking. A small spoonful is just enough remember, less is more when it comes to puff pastry. - Keep Puff Pastry Cold Until Ready to Use:
Warm puff pastry can become sticky and hard to work with. For the best results, keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to roll and cut, and work quickly to maintain its structure. - Watch the Bake Time Closely:
Oven temps can vary, so keep an eye on the pastries starting around the 12-minute mark. They should be puffed and golden with a bubbling, slightly browned filling. Overbaking may cause them to dry out.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve on a Festive Platter with Fresh Herbs:
Arrange the stars on a holiday-themed tray and sprinkle extra chopped parsley or rosemary around them for a festive, vibrant presentation that fits any celebratory table. - Pair with a Glass of Sparkling Wine or Spiced Cocktail:
These savory-sweet bites pair wonderfully with bubbly drinks like Prosecco or festive cocktails like a cranberry mule or mulled wine. The rich cheese and spicy jelly contrast beautifully with bright, acidic beverages. - Offer with a Dipping Option:
Serve alongside a small bowl of extra pepper jelly or a complementary dip, like a creamy mustard sauce or balsamic glaze, so guests can customize each bite to their taste.
Tips
- Make Ahead for Stress-Free Entertaining:
Prepare the cheese filling and cut the puff pastry stars a day in advance. Store the unbaked pieces separately in the fridge, then assemble and bake right before your guests arrive. - Use Parchment for Easy Cleanup:
Baking on parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless especially important when working with melted cheese and sticky jelly. - Let Them Cool Slightly Before Topping with Jelly:
Adding the pepper jelly too soon after baking can cause it to melt and slide off. Let the appetizers cool for 5–10 minutes before topping to keep the jelly in place and looking picture-perfect.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per appetizer — approx. 1 piece)
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on brands used and exact portion sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these appetizers ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the cheese filling and cut out the puff pastry shapes a day ahead. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, assemble, bake, and top with jelly for the freshest results. - What if I don’t have red hot pepper jelly?
You can substitute with any sweet and tangy jam try fig jam, cranberry sauce, or even a spicy mango chutney. Each brings a different twist to the flavor but keeps that sweet-heat balance. - Can these be frozen?
You can freeze the unbaked assembled stars (without jelly) on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the cook time. Add jelly after baking. - How do I keep the puff pastry from getting soggy?
Make sure your filling isn’t too wet and don’t overload the pastry. Also, let them cool slightly before adding jelly this helps avoid excess moisture on the surface.
Conclusion
These Star-Shaped Cheese Appetizers with Red Hot Pepper Jelly are as fun to make as they are to eat flaky, creamy, spicy, and just a little sweet. Whether you’re setting the tone for a holiday party or adding something special to a casual get-together, these little bites bring flavor, festivity, and flair to your table. Best of all, they’re endlessly customizable, so you can make them your own. Happy baking and even happier snacking!
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Star-Shaped Cheese Appetizers with Red Hot Pepper Jelly
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 20–24 appetizers (depending on cutter size) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and flavorful treat, these cheese-filled puff pastry stars topped with red hot pepper jelly are the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and crispy. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or a casual get-together, these eye-catching bites are guaranteed crowd-pleasers!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- ¼ cup red hot pepper jelly (or more as needed)
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Prepare the Puff Pastry:
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out star shapes. Don’t have one? Round or square shapes work just as well. - Make the Cheese Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the Appetizers:
Place the pastry stars on the prepared baking sheet.
Add a small dollop of cheese mixture to the center of each star, spreading it slightly while leaving a border. - Egg Wash for a Golden Finish:
Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush it lightly over the exposed edges of the pastry. - Bake:
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is bubbling. - Add the Red Hot Pepper Jelly:
Allow the pastries to cool slightly.
Top each with a small spoonful of red hot pepper jelly. - Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- If making ahead, bake and store the stars without jelly. Reheat slightly and top with jelly just before serving.
For extra heat, mix a pinch of cayenne into the cheese filling.
These are easily adaptable with different cheese combos or toppings try fig jam or cranberry sauce for a twist!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: puff pastry appetizer, cheese stars, holiday bites, red pepper jelly, easy party food