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